By Godfrey Bivbere

Presidency has ordered the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to reduce criminal activities in the nation’s waters.

Speaking in Lagos recently, newly appointed Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, said the management would work at achieving this mandate but pointed out that the apex maritime regulatory agency would not be able to achieve this since its officials do not carry arms.

Akpobolokemi disclosed this when “Direct Short Service course 19 Naval Cadets for Camp Ruwan Yaro”, Kaduna, visited the agency’s head office in Lagos. He stressed the need for collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy for the goal to be achieved.

“The Navy should police the ocean and creeks and should assist in checkmating criminal, our efforts will come to nothing without the assistance and partnership with the navy.  Therefore, the new leadership of the organization would not lose the sight of this as the navy is symbiotic to the success of the agency”, he said.

The Director General who was having his first official assignment after being appointed said   that NIMASA would assist the Navy to carry out its own aspect of the responsibility.

“Whatever should be done to enhance co-operation between us and the Navy would be facilitated because we have mandate from the Presidency to reduce to the barest minimum all criminal activities in our territorial waters.  Since NIMASA does not possess arms we solicit the cooperation of the Navy to carry out these responsibility effectively,” he said.

On the type of assistance the navy should expect from the agency the new Director General stated that the outfit would partner with the navy to put back the now moribound dockyard in Apapa back to shape, instead of Nigerians taking vessels to Ghana or other countries for repairs.

He also explained that NIMASA would put back in good condition naval patrol boats that have broken down in addition to engaging and training naval pilots.  It would also gather intelligence and information on activities of pirates and check the movement of vessels in Nigerian waters.

On challenges facing NIMASA, Akpobolokemi lamented that there are no patrol boats for the agency which makes the patrol of the creeks and the territorial waters difficult, adding that everything must be done to solve the ugly situation.

“If there is a pirate attack and the navy wants to go there, it will not be possible if there are no boats.  Criminals are getting more and more sophisticated and the agency needs to be above them,” he stressed.

The head of the delegation, Abdul Bin Adamu, in a short remark explained that they have come to be exposed to the maritime environment with a view to knowing how the agency operate as the foremost maritime outfit,

Earlier, in a welcome address, Alhaji Isa Shakarau said the agency was delighted to see the visitors, but explained it was the first time they played host to such a large number of cadets numbering 149.  Every state in the federation was represented among the naval cadets.