Godwin ORITSE

Maritme industry stakeholders have commended the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, in its effort to up the ante currently being experienced in the industry.

Akpobolekemi

Besides, the stakeholders are also reviewing the performance of the current management just as they have set new targets for them.

Recall that the current management of the maritime regurgitating agency headed by Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, was appointed four years ago and was recently reappointed for a second term by the Presidency.

Speaking to Sweetcrude on the purposeful leadership Akpobolokemi has provided since he assumed duty at NIMASA, the immediate past president of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria, (ISAN), Chief Issac Jolapamo, said the current Director General of NIMASA has demonstrated the fact that there is progress in continuity, adding that continuing the programmes and projects of his predecessors has been his greatest strength.

Jolapamo reiterated the support of local ship owners of the re-appointment of Akpobolokemi as Director General for a second term. He is of the opinion that more can still be done in the area of building capacity for local ship owners.

“Akpobookemi can use the next four years to develop local capacity and get the government’s backing to force the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria to patronize local shipping firms.

“We have been operating Cabotage for ten years and nothing good has come of it, now is the time to act.

“He needs to do more in the area of capacity building by assisting local ship owners to acquire more vessels.

“He has done well in the area of reaching out to stakeholders, I know he can do better if he concentrates on building local capacities”, he said.

Speaking in a similar vein, Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Ify Akerele said that as a non-maritime person, Akpobolokemi has brought stability to NIMASA.

Akerele also said that NIMASA has also tackled the issue of maritime security head on, adding that Nigeria’s territorial and coastal waters have become too uncomfortable for pirates to operate.

She explained that Nigeria now has a stronger voice in international maritime given its strategic role in the sub-region.

“He has faced the issue of maritime security head on and this move has reflected in the relative peace we are currently experiencing in the country.

“Akpobolokemi has also showed interest in the growth of local shipping operations by their involvement in the recent election of indigenous ship owners.

“His decision to continue with National Seafarers Development Programme, was also another value added to the development of human capacity” Akerele said

Former Director General of NIMASA, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro commended Akpobolokemi and his management team for the ship surveillance system it has put in place. Usoro explained that surveillance system has also assisted NIMASA in its port state control mechanism.

The former NIMASA boss, who is now the Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, also commended NIMASA for being the foremost port state control administration in the West and Central African regions.

She however advised the current management to assist other members of the Abuja MOU on port state control administration.

She noted that NIMASA engages highly qualified port state control officers for administration, a development that has placed Nigeria ahead of other countries in the region.

She said “Nigeria through NIMASA is currently the foremost maritime agency in port state control in the West and Central Africa sub-regions.

“I advise that NIMASA accede to the request of member countries to allow for an exchange programme that will enable them gain from NIMASA’s wealth of experience in port state control administration”.

At inception, the appointment of Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was received with mixed feelings. While some players and stake holders in maritime industry vehemently opposed his appointment, others were skeptical about what value a non-maritime person will add to a bastardized maritime administration in Nigeria.

Four years after the appointment of Akpobolokemi, Nigeria is experiencing a new vista in maritime administration in both the Flag State and Port State controls.

On assumption of duty, rather than initiate new projects and programmes, Akpobolokemi has built on and strengthened projects and programmes initiated by his predecessors. A move that has not only influenced the growth.of the industry, young Nigerians have also felt the impact of the current administration.

Besides the issue of Flag and Port State controls, NIMASA under its current administration, has also continued to engage in partnerships and collaborations with the necessary and relevant government agencies and departments to improve the nation’s maritime administration and secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.