By Godfrey Bivbere

DIRECTOR General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has restated the commitment of the present management to reform, reposition, restructure and reorganise the agency.

Peterside made this assertion while briefing the chairman of the NIMASA governing board, Gen. Jonathan India Garba (retd.) and other members of the board in Port Harcourt during the familiarisation tour of the governing board of the agency.

He noted that in spite of the minor challenges that come along with every change agenda, management of the agency, with the support of the governing board would ensure that NIMASA is repositioned to revitalise the economic enhancing activities of the maritime sector.

Dakuku Peterside

He said, “NIMASA is the agency of government charged with the responsibility of advancing the maritime sector by regulating shipping, promoting indigenous participation in shipping and ensuring that the ocean is clean and safe for shipping activities. The implications of these mandates are that we have responsibilities for maritime safety and security; seafarers’ standards; marine environment management; search and rescue, ship registration and an added responsibility for the Cabotage Act that was passed in 2003.

“Our principal mandate is to restructure, reposition, reorganise and reform NIMASA and make it a foremost maritime administration in Africa because we have no reason not to be number one in Africa. Of every 100 cargo heading to Africa 65 would come to Nigeria and in this regard we must ensure that our maritime sector remains vibrant.”

He said that bold steps had been taken to automate the processes of NIMASA and make the zones semi-autonomous by devolving powers to them in order for stakeholders to conclude every transaction at the zonal level. The zones have also been upgraded as directors now head each of them.

In his response, Gen. Garba assured the management of the governing board’s support, stating that the board will use its will to ensure that NIMASA becomes a major maritime voice in global shipping.