A break down of activities of NIMASA’s new management as presented by the Director General, Mr. Temisan Omatseye recently.
The current management assumed office on 10th July, 2009.

Alh. Yusuf Suleiman, Transport Minister

On full assumption in office we came out with a 5 point Agenda in pursuit of our 10 years
Strategic development vision for the maritime industry.

Our 5-point to transform the maritime industry in Nigeria as the leader in Africa is outline thus:
Drive indigenous economic growth in the area of coastal and inland water trade.

Develop effective and efficient maritime administration, security and safety system.
Align NIMASA’s statutory coast guard functions to functions with other national security       agencies
Align NIMASA’s role to meet the expectations of stakeholders.

Develop a productive and skilled indigenous maritime Labour and manpower
This vision has shaped and guided the action and programmes of management in the past one year the outcomes of which we are presenting here today.

PROGRAMMES ON PROMOTING SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Management has initiated the process to implement public sector cargo support scheme in line with provision of Section36 of the NIMASA Act and consistent with the Nigeria Content Development Policy Objective.
Establishment of more Maritime Academies to address the current challenge of acute shortage of qualified seafarers.

Establishment of a National Carrier Shipping Line: Management is working on an ambitious programme to establish shipping lines in partnership with the private sector in the following trades (1) Tanker Shipping (2) Liners (3) Bulk.
Development of Ship Demolition And Ship Recycling Facility: Work is ongoing to provide the policy and legal framework for the establishment of ship demolition and recycling facilities in Nigeria, which has attracted tremendous favorable interest from investors.
Facilitated matchmaking between indigenous shipping companies and their foreign counterparts in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and USA.

Participated activity in the process leading to the passage of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Content Development Act 2010 through our in-house local content committee.

The agency has articulated a comprehensive (Fiscal, operational and administrative)sectors specific incentives for the maritime industry which is currently receiving attention from appropriate government quarters.

Management initiated collaboration with the Nigeria Navy to upgrade and modernized the naval dockyard in Victoria Island and Port-Harcourt through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to provide shipyard services on commercial bases as part of our efforts to shipyard capacity in the country.

Management has initiated collaboration with selected tertiary institutions to offer faculty in marine engineering, naval architecture, Nautical sciences.

(OAU,FUTO, etc).
Management has intensified efforts in the i m p l e m e n t a t I o n o f M em o r a n d u m of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria Investment promotion in maritime sector geared towards attracting foreign direct investment as well as the collaboration with SMEDAN to deveop SMEs in the maritime sector.
Significant Increase Of Funds For The Cobotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) From Less Than 7 Million Dollars In July 2009 To Over 55 Million Dollars In June 2010 Representing a 685.7% Increase.

CVFF:- Arrangements for the administration of the CVFF have reached advanced stage and the  first tranch of disbursement would be concluded shortly; through the following banks which were care fully selected to act as PLI for the fund. Diamond, Skye, Fidelity and Equitorial Trust Bank.

We have recorder 240 cabotage vessels in the cabotage special registry as against 45 vessels when we assumed office. This represents 450% increase.

Reviewed guideline for Registration of Cabotage Operators. This has effectively increased the tonnage in cabotage special register.

Management is in the fore-front of driving the process for the establishment of the Regional       Maritime Development bank to further provide fundings corridor for ship acquisition and infrastructural development.
We have achieved 24 hour provisional Ship Registration

We have recorded a 1,318 vessels in our Ship Registry representing 45%increase from the previous figure at our inception.

There has been a comprehensive Review of Flag Survey and Registration Services procedures.
Full automation of the Nigeria Registry is in progress.
Establishment of Dockworkers databank.

Commenced issuance of Biometric Identity cards to Registered Dockworker.
Arrangements are almost concluded to conduct a joint Capability Audit (NIMASA, NCDMB and IOCs) of maritime service providers in our cabotage trade.

New condition of service for Nigeria Seafarers on board fishing and Coastal Vessels in line with the standards of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC).
NIMASA has complied with the directives of the Ministerial Committee on payment of Seamen gratuity by paying all affected persons.

Banks guarantee for Employers of Labour has been reviwed downwards from N1million in an effect to encourage indigenous participation.

MARITIME REGULATORY ACTIVITIES
Strict enforcement of the Automated identification Systems (AIS) has been effectively implemented by the Agency to ensure that all Vessels on our waters are tracked.

NIMASA has signed delivery agreement with International Mobile Satellite organization (IMSO) on Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT). Both the LRIT and AIS Systems would greatly enhance our coastal and port states performance capabilities.
We have successfully carried out mock-audit in preparation for the International Maritime Organisation IMO voluntary Audit Scheme.

Six functional Global maritime distressed safety system (GMDSS) based have been established along our coastal line to facilitate search and rescue operation VIZ.
(i) Lagos Maritime Rescue Coordination center (MRCC)

(ii) Lagos joint rescue Coordination Center (JRCC)
(iii) Oron Rescue sub-center
(iv) Escravos Reascue sub-center
(v) Bonny Rescue sub-center
(vi) Lokoja Rescue sub-center

We have achieved a 12 hour certificate of competency and standards (COCS) and Discharge Books regime upon receipt of application. The agency has:
Successfully sensitized three (3) countries ( Cameroun, Gabon, DR Congo) on the need to establish search and Rescue sub-centers in their Countries.

We have successfully integrated the GMDSS with RMAC/AIS for search and rescue operations.
NIMASA in collaboration with ISAN has commenced the implementation of the phasing out of single Hull Tankers in compliance with Regulation 13Gof the MARPO CONVENTION

In the past one year the Agency has successfully responded to emergency within our waters by carrying out the following salvage and search and rescue:
– 400 stranded aboard M.T. Liliana

– 164 aboard MV AL Saalam a Sao Tome and Principe Cargo ship.
– Medical evacuation of a Russian Sea Captain.

– Salvage of 4 out of 16 beached vessels at Light House East Mole Takwa Bay.
Establishment of a functional and operational room for Regional Maritime Domain Awareness.
The Agency has concluded the concept Architecture on the Maritime Electronic Highway project which is our flag-ship initiative for total maritime domain awareness.
The Agency has designed and developed certificate as well as documents to be carried on-board non-convention vessels.

The Agency has embarked on the clearing of waste, debris, marine liters and documentation of water around the Lagos Ports and Shore lines deploying the scavenger boats.

The Agency has produced IMO approved ship board oil pollution emergency manual and issuance of civil liability certificates.
The Agency has successfully produced National guideline on Waste emanating from vessels.

ÃœThe Agency has put in place effective monitoring and regulatory system for ship scrapping activities.
ÃœThe Agency has conducted feasibility studies for the establishment of a network of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) references stations.
The Agency has developed Portal infrastructure for maritime safety information (MSI).

The Agency has initiated the process for commencing Tanker vetting operation which is a system auditing techniques and strategy for tanker safety and vetting policies.
CAPACITY BUILDING

The Agency has initiated efforts in the implementation of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) which has led to significant increase both number of cadets enrolment and states participation.
At present, we have 46 cadets from Benue, Ebonyi, Ekiti and Ondo while Kaduna, Kogi, Niger and Adamawa have just signed up for the programme.
The Agency has modified the programme to train 10 extra cadets from any state that has fully signed up for the

The Agency has also provided a window for private sector and public Agencies involvement in the NSDP on 60-40 funding ration.

The Agency has continued to sponsor stakeholders’ capacity development through seminars and conferences i.e ISAN to Singapore for the Asia pacific maritime Expo 2010, Ship Financing conference in Malaysia 2010, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping Maritime Round-Table etc.

The Agency completed and commissioned the Climate Observatory Centre at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
The Agency planned and organized seminar for judges on Maritime Arbitration at Calabar and Lagos.

The Agency has institutionalized a new training and staff development policy based on competency profile.
The Agency has institutionalized corporate performance management with the introduction of Monthly Performance Review (MPR) mechanism.

The management has embarked on a restricting of the Agency based on its cardinal mandate.

Steps are being taken towards cultural transformation programmes for the Agency which will involve cultural audit and change management.

The Agency has intensified efforts towards inter-agency collaboration to ensure effective implementation of its policies and programmes which requires the support and input of sisters Agencies to succeed. Such agencies include:

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, NIPC, SMEDAN and Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The Agency in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Transport has successfully executed the campaign that led to the re-election of Nigeria as a member of IMO Governing Council.

The Agency played a facilitatory role in the appointment of Mr. William Azu, the Alternate Permanent Representative (APR) into the governing Board of the World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden.

In recognition and appreciation of the Agency’s continual stride towards the development of the Maritime Awards (WAWA) awarded NIMASA the “2009 Maritime Agency of the year in West Africa” amongst other national honours and awards.
OUT LOOK

of viable national carrier shipping line to partake in the affreightment of the Nigeria’s wet and dry international trade cargoes is central to management and will be pursued with all vigour in the coming years.

Building of competitive ship-building and maintenance yards as well as ship recycling facilities are priority programme of management.

of composite human capital capacity both institutional and industry wide will be given increased attention as management vision is to make NIMASA a knowledge based organization.

The Agency is working on a comprehensive maritime led development strategy which will implemented in phases in collaboration with all the stakeholders in the Niger Delta question with focus to deliver on harnessing the seafarers potentials of the Niger Delta youths. In this wise, the NSDP which is NIMASA’s flagship initiative for seafarers’ development is being remodeled to provide an accelerated training opportunities for the Niger Delta youths.

The new focus is to deliver on the following medium and long term outcomes:
Medium Term: The Medium term agenda is an intervention programme designed to support and complement Federal Government efforts at quick rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant militants. The key deliverable her are:

-Training of ex-militant youths as ratings and officers.
-Evolve a scheme for engaging the trained youths as maritime security and enforcement officers for ISPS code, Cabotage, SAR and pollution enforcements.

-    Train and equip (acquisition of boats and relevant platforms and hard wears, etc) the youths as maritime safety marshals to patrol our coastline and the creeks and respond to safety, security and environment emergencies.

LONG TERM
-Collaboration between NIMASA, NDDC and Niger Delta State/Local governments to fund the participation of qualified Niger Delta youths in the NSDP through a tripartite percentage funding ratio of 20:40:40 respectively.

-The Agency will be generally restructured and re-engineered to improve on both static and dynamic efficiency in delivery its statutory mandate.

-The destination is Nigeria as a regional maritime centre, and convergence point for regional shipping events and maritime trade logistic hub.

CONCLUSION
Ü The challenge of developing the Nigerian Maritime Sector demands collective efforts and constructive engagements of all stakeholders.

Ü The media and government must act as development partners in this wise.
Ü The We appreciate the media continuous coverage and reporting of events in the maritime industry at all times and in all circumstances.