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Tag: NIMASA

  • NIMASA: floating dockyard to save N36b

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuk Peterside, has said the agency’s floating dockyard will save the country N36 billion annually.

    He added that the agency has embarked on several initiatives that will make the Agency  the leading Maritime Administration in Africa, it was learnt yesterday.

    Peterside spoke with reporters in Lagos yesterday.  The NIMASA helmsman said he was determined to advance the nation’s global maritime  goals and promote its  rapid economic development.

    NIMASA, he said, would achieve a robust and business friendly maritime domain to make the country a hub of maritime activities in the West and Central Africa.

    Peterside said: “It is remarkable to note that the past. three years have been very eventful for the Nigerian Maritime  Administration and Safety Agency.

    “After appointment of the new Executive Management of the Agency, the team understood the critical need for overall reform in the Agency to break away from the old ways of doing things and conform to the mantra of the present administration of President Muhammodu Buhori (GCFR), which required a new and purposeful start for Nigeria in all sectors of our national economy.

    “Beginning with a quick Strategic: Implementation Plan (SIP), in alignment with the programme of the Federal Government, the NIMASA Executive Management has initiated series of management performance briefings and critical reform intervention  sessions, where the priority actions to put the  Agency on o path of sustainable growth to impact the maritime industry as well as promote and ensure overall development of the sector were taken.

    “ In order to remain focused on our mandates, the Agency in its entirety adopted a new VISION, MISSION and CORE VALUES, which is to serve as a compass towards realising our goals of making Nigerian maritime sector a hub in Africa.

    Some of the core values of NIMASA as identified by Peterside include commitment to make the agency the best in Africa, promoting accountability, professionalism, integrity ,teamwork, excellence , leadership qualities and discipline among the staff, operators and stakeholders working with the agency.

    To enforce compliance and promote maritime domain awareness, Peterside said, NIMASA, had in the test six months, captured a total of 1,685 tanker ships operating on the nation’s territorial waters through its Satellite Surveillance System.

    “Of these operations, 284 were carried out at the anchorage area through lightering. Effectively, through surveillance guided enforcement operations, the 284 tankers that were lightened at the anchorage were hindered from participating in Cobotoge Operations .

    “This hos Impacted positively on Cobotoge trode creating room for more local participation. This was not the case in , 2017 when we could not separate between anchorage .. operations and Cobotoge trade with high likelihood of 532 international vessels proceeding on Cobotoge trode otter lightering operations at the anchorage, he said.

    NIMASA, findings revealed, has been able to establish a satellite surveillance control and command center that has a coverage of up to 312 nautical miles from coast line (approximately 100 nautical miles off our EEZ).

    The system, it was learnt, can detect vessels with AIS transponders switched off as a synthetic aperture raider (SAR images which can be interrogated) immediately by near point of sight patrol / enforcement boots.

    “The Agency secured the reactivation of the maritime domain awareness capability. This has enabled effective enforcement of regulations. Our surveillance system enables us to ensure the preservation of Cabotoge trade for indigenous operators by “ identifying and differentiating Ship-To-Ship (STS) operations that take place at the secured anchorage and offshore locations from Cobotoge trade to avoid foreign domination in Cobotoge trade under the guise of STS,” Peterside said.

  • NIMASA to create ship chandling jobs

    THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is contemplating creating jobs through ship chandling.

    The move, it was gathered, will save the government the huge revenue being wasted on ship supplies.

    Ship chandling – supplying equipment and goods – is a lucrative venture, in which NIMASA is determined to train many Nigerians.

    For traditional sailing ships, items that could be found in a chandler may include: rosin, turpentine, tar, pitch (resin), linseed oil, whale oil, tallow, lard, varnish, twine, rope and cordage, hemp, oakum and tools (hatchet, axe, hammer, chisel, planes, lantern, nail, spike, boat hook, caulking iron, hand pump, marlinspike).

    Others are brooms, mops, galley supplies, leather goods, and paper.

    Items that could be supplied by the modern day chandlers range from foodstuff, drinks, oil, engine oil, water,  spares to materials the captain of the ship may require.

    A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transportation ( FMoT) who craved anonymity, said the Local Content Act was meant to address issues of this nature, noting that the National Content Monitoring Board (NCMB) was yet to understand the dynamics of local content in ship chandling.

    The country, he said, was losing revenue to the low level of activities in ship chandling.

    The source said ship chandling needs a lot of funds to meet the demands of the crew.

    For instance, he said a crew of a ship of 5,000 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) would require about $50,000 monthly to buy foods, pharmaceuticals, oil, lubricants and other things for its trip.

    The ministry, he said, was worried that the law guiding ship chandling was not effective, adding that Section 24 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which regulates the business, has not been reviewed since 1968 to reflect new trends.

    He said the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has the power to provide the requisite training to understand the dynamics of how the business is run.

    “NIMASA and the government must do something about the business. The country must use all the resources we have to provide jobs for our people. Other countries are using ship chandling to empower their youths and there is nothing wrong if we also tap into it,” the official said.

    But a senior Customs official, who does not want his name in print, accused terminal operators of collecting about 20 per cent of the cost of the goods to be supplied from ship chandlers. “They collect the money before they allow them to pass through their terminals to supply the crew inside ships,” he said.

    Ship chandling is regulated by the International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA). The business is central to the existence and social dynamics of ports and waterfront areas.

  • NIMASA partners foundation on heart disease

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has partnered with the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) to create awareness on the dangers of heart diseases.

    Director General of the agency Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated this yesterday in a chat with reporters in Lagos ahead of the NHF Charity Golf tournament slated for September 1 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Dakuku, who was represented by the Head, Corporate Communications of NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi, charged Nigerians to embrace physical exercises to prevent the risk of heart related diseases.

    He said NIMASA is partnering with NHF as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “to lend its voice towards awareness on heart related diseases to help save lives”.

    Executive Director NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, said plans are underway to raise N100million from the tournament to raise awareness on the disease.

  • NIMASA targets N109bn revenue in 2018 – DG

    Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says the agency is targeting N109 billion as revenue in 2018.

    He said this while speaking on the 2018 budget before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him, the agency was optimistic it will generate N109 billion as revenue in 2018.

    Peterside said that the total estimate was achievable based on the number of initiatives the agency had put in place to block revenue leakages.

    “N109 billion is an estimate; we are workings toward accomplishing that, this revenue include revenue from Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), that I have no access too.

    “It also includes our mandatory contributions to Maritime Academy of Nigeria, which is not in our disposal but we optimistic that with the numbers of initiatives we have put in place.

    “We have blocked leakages, we have done everything humanly possible to reduce our expenses to make it achievable,” he said.

    He, however, told the committee that every adjustment and amendment had been made on the budget as directed.

    NIMASA boss said that a total of N18.7 billion was remitted in 2017, which was the 80 per cent of the total revenue for 2017.

    He said that N2 billion was also contributed to Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for the dredging of the lower Niger River, which was approved by the presidency.

    Peterside said that in 2018, the agency hopes to complete the reforms it had started by making the waterways safer than it used to be by investing in the security of waterways.

    He said that the agency intended to build offices in the eastern zone, central zone and also concentrate on capacity building, by training seafarers and scaling up its operations in 2018.

  • NIMASA: Chinese maritime initiative ’ll boost African trade

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said the Maritime Silk Road initiative promoted by China to develop international shipping connectivity across South East Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Indian ocean will  create a new opening for Africa to advance and protect its economic partnership for the benefit of the continent.

    The NIMASA boss, who spoke as the chairman of the 29th annual session of club of ports of the Crans Montana forum in Brussels, Belgium, said the maritime silk roads come with a lot of benefits for the continent.

    He, however, urged African countries to be strategic in decision making in order to reap the benefits and avert some perceived risks inherent in the initiative.

    “Whereas, China is pursuing new transportation linkages throughout the Eurasia region and Africa to boost trade and enhance her economic status, Africa must key in to develop her port infrastructure, maritime assets financing and create jobs for her people,” he said.

    He listed potential threats such as likelihood of ports being taken over by the Chinese to the detriment of Africans, noting that the maritime Silk Road initiative will create opening for African markets to be flooded with Chinese goods.

    He also said as a result of the China driven initiative, Chinese policy may also affect port calls and hub decisions, warning that the oil tanker and gas markets will be affected by the construction of new pipelines that will connect Africa to China, which will engender Chinese political dominance in Africa if not carefully managed.

    He also advocated the support of the China led maritime Silk Road initiative, but warned Africa to do the needful to ensure that her economic interests is fully protected.

     

  • NIMASA suspends waiver issuance to foreign seafarers

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has suspended the issuance of waivers to foreign seafarers manning vessels through the introduction of a New Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS), it was learnt yesterday.

    Its Director-General Dr Dakuku Peterside stated this in Warri when the agency  joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Seafarer.

    The theme of the event was: ‘Seafarers’ Wellbeing’  with particular focus on their mental health.

    It is believed that by addressing seafarers wellbeing and particularly their mental health, all other issues affecting their conditions, such as stress and depression, can  be tackled through the adoption of effective strategies.

    NIMASA has the responsibility to ensure the placement of seafarers on board all cabotage vessels operating in the country.

    Peterside has mandated all shipowners to always submit the  list of  crew on  board their vessels and give information on their vessel‘s operations to officials of the agency.

    Peterside debunked the allegations by some shipowners that Nigerian seafarers lack the required competences to work on board vessels.

    “It is worthy of note that this policy has recorded some level of success as more Nigerians are now engaged on Cabotage vessels. However, l must mention here that some companies have adopted negative measures to circumvent this policy by withholding information on their vessel‘s operations and the submission of fake crew lists. ln some other cases they come up with the excuse that the Nigerian seafarers lack the required competences to work on board these vessels.

    “I wish to clearly state without any fear of contradiction that Nigerian seafarers ranks among the best in the world and can favourably compete with their foreign counterparts.”

    This, Peterside said, explains why the NIMASA has in the  past few years, embarked on training and retraining of seafarers and cadets in specialised maritime courses both locally and internationally with the sole aim of enhancing their competences, capability and employability.

    “For the records, NIMASA has so for trained over 2051 cadets under the Nigerian seafarers development programme (NSDP). In addition to those who have already undergone their mandatory sea time training, 500 have been earmarked for sea time training in 2018 fiscal year, while additional 500 will undergo the training in 2019.

    “Furthermore, 150 fresh cadets will benefit from the programme under the NSDP~3 which will commence in the next academic session.

    “On the other hand, the agency in May this year facilitated the training of 370 Nigerian Seafarers in relevant courses leading to certifications on Standard of Training Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW)), Oil tanker familiarisation, Security Awareness (lSPS) Code, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (PSCRB) and Dynamic Positioning,” he said.

  • N2.6bn fraud: Appeal Court acquits Akpobolokemi

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Friday discharged and acquitted a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi of a N2.6billion fraud charge.

    A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Yargatta Nimpar overruled the decision of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who, on October 16, 2017, dismissed Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission.

    Justice Nimpar, who read the appellate court’s judgment, upheld Akpobolokemi’s contention that he had no case to answer in response to the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC had on December 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others for allegedly diverting N2.6billion belonging to NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project tagged: “International Ship and Ports Security Code in Nigerian Ports.”

    Akpolokemi’s co-defendants were Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistics Limited.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 22-count charge following which the EFCC opened its case, calling 12 witnesses and tendering 77 exhibits in a bid to prove the allegation.

    Upon the closure of its case in 2017, the defendants filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

    But Justice Buba dismissed their submissions.

    The judge held: “From the evidence of the first prosecution witness, it is well established that all the defendants have case to answer; the exhibits tendered and the testimonies of other witnesses have established that there is a prima facie case against the defendants.”

    Displeased, however, they approached the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Akpobolokemi of the entire 22 charges.

    However, the five other appellants were not discharged as the court upheld Justice Buba’s verdict that they had a case to answer.‎

     

  • NIMASA to save nine-man crew held on Lagos water

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and  Safety Agency (NIMASA) is to investigate why the remaining nine  crew members on board of two vessels  held on Lagos water by the Nigerian Navy have not been released.

    NIMASA, it was gathered, is working towards their release to assure national and international seafarers that the country is not above international law.

    A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) told The Nation, that the crew were on board MT United Trader and MT United Ventures.

    The crew,it was gathered, have been detained inside the ship since October,without being able to communicate with their families and friends.

    According to the official, the crew did not commit any offence apart from their principal, who is indebted to a firm.

    “An estimated 90 per cent  of world trade is carried  out on ship and requires seafarers to operate ship. Seafarers are in this sense essential to international trade and the international economic system. In fact, shipping and seafarers are one of the earliest of the “globalised” industries.

    “To protect the world’s seafarers and their contribution to international trade, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted over the years some 70 instruments (41 Conventions and related Recommendations) through special maritime sessions of the International Labour Conference.

    “The ILO’s international standards for this sector establish the minimum conditions for “decent work” and address almost all aspects of work including minimum requirements for work on a ship (such as minimum age, medical fitness and training) provisions on the conditions of employment, such as hours of work and rest, wages, leave, repatriation, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, occupational safety and health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection. In addition, they address issues, such as pensions and an internationally-recognised document for seafarers (a seafarers’ identity document) to assist in border and ship control matters”

    The official, however, said there  was  need for NIMASA and the Federal Ministry of Transport to expedite action on the release of the crew without further delay.

    “The crewmen of the MT United Trader and Uniter Venture must be released after being held for over six months,” he said.

    Investigation conducted by The Nation revealed that the crew has no food and necessities on board and safety-related mater.

    The food supplied them by NIMASA, it was learnt, has finished and they rely on rain water to drink.

    Among the crew, it was gathered, are Obi Solomon Edjor and Omogbai Vincent

    “The nine Nigerian crewmen of the MT United Trader and United Venture must be released after being held for over six months inside the ship.

    “The men had been living and wining inside the ship without any court of Nigeria declaring them guilty of any charges.

    “The horror of what they are going through and frustration is high.

    “NIMASA and the Federal Ministry of Transport are, no doubt, working 24/7 to give them hope.

    ‘’The crew members have experienced enough trauma and NIMASA is always available to offer support and welfare to the seamen if, when and where required,” the official said.

    Security sources at the port told The Nation that the families of the crew had no idea of what had become of their loved ones and no communication had been established between them.

    The security official said tackling  piracy or roberry on the territorial waters is a major concern of NIMASA and required a multi-stakeholder approach.

    He said the pirates stifled shipping and by extension, commerce, which is a major driver of global economy.

    Peterside said he is exploring all avenues to keep Nigeria’s waterways safe for ships plying them. He noted that this required wider consultation.

    His office, he said, is championing some initiatives aimed at achieving zero piracy.

    He noted that Peterside is committed to making NIMASA accomplish its core mandate of ensuring safe, secure shipping and a cleaner marine environment

  • NIMASA debunks bribery allegation

    The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has faulted claims of bribery in a maritime security contract with an Israeli firm.

    In a statement yesterday, the agency said: “It is sad to note that some people will derive joy in playing politics with the issue of security in the Nigerian maritime domain at a time NIMASA, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, is working closely with security agencies in Nigeria to improve security in the Nigerian territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

    “While acknowledging that the Federal Executive  Council ( FEC ) recently approved the acquisition of some  maritime security assets on contractor financed basis in favour of an Isreali firm; the content of the write up was laced with malicious falsehood. We view this as being merely a cheap attempt to tarnish the image of the Honorable Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside.

    “While the report claimed bogus figures such as $429 million dollars and $615 million as value of the contract for vessel purchase, we wish to state that there was nothing in that nature related to a contract in the approval granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the acquisition of maritime security infrastructure. The report said the investigation relates to the acquisition of three number Shaldag fast patrol boats by Nigerian Navy in the years 2010 to 2013. The said report claimed three Israeli Shipyard officials were being questioned over the 2010-2013 transactions. Even when it is clear that neither the Honourable Minister, Rotimi Amaechi or Dr. Dakuku Peterside were occupying their present office in the years mentioned in the report, the authors still chose to be mischievous.

    “The recently approved maritime security assets acquisition relates to Special mission aircrafts, Special mission helicopters and 12 fast intervention vessels to be acquired for enhanced coastal and aerial surveillance and patrol of the Nigerian maritime domain will be manned by Nigerian Navy and other NIGERIAN military officials. The terms of the contract also include human capacity development that will see the firm train NIMASA and retrain Nigerian security personnel with specification to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standard, specially on fighting crimes in the maritime domain of which we have peculiar challenges in the creeks and our larger coastal region. The value of this contract is known and it is $195m USD.

    “It is noteworthy that the European Union convened a special meeting on the Gulf of Guinea which took place in Lagos, where they noted that their decision to host the meeting outside the EU for the first time and in Nigeria was to create awareness of the fact that piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is real and deserves special global attention. The International Maritime Bureau and the international shipping community have also raised similar concerns about maritime crime in Nigerian waters.

    “The HLSi contract approved by Federal Executive Council is to acquire platforms to help fight piracy and it is projected to aid the reduction of piracy by over 50% in the Gulf of Guinea within the first year of the contract.

    “While we cannot categorically confirm or deny the fact that some Israeli officials are under investigation for contract execution involving Nigerian institution in  the year 2010, please be informed that nothing of such is linked to the current leadership of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).”

  • NIMASA: Safety critical to blue economy

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said safety in the Gulf of Guinea is a prerequisite to the success of blue economy in the country.

    Its Director-General, Dr  Dakuku Peterside who spoke yesterday during a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 hosted by the agency in Lagos, said security officials are working hard to ensure security in the Gulf of Guninea.

    Represented by head, Maritime Safety, Capt Sunny Umoren, the NIMASA chief said there was no way the potential of the Blue Economy could be tapped by any country in the sub-region without a clear-cut strategy on how to promote maritime security and safety in the Gulf of Guinea.

    According to him, the essence of the committee was to come up with strategies that would stem the cycle of criminalities in the Gulf of Guinea, attract more ships to Nigerian ports and attract less insurance charges on cargoes destiny for the Nigerian sea ports to make it a hub in the sub region.

    “The Gulf of Guinea is perceived as not being safe because of the few attacks; I can assure you that the Navy and maritime administration are working hand in hand to secure the Gulf of Guinea.