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Tag: NIMASA

  • NIMASA devolves power to zonal offices

    NIMASA devolves power to zonal offices

    IN a move to shore up the contry’s revenue base, the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday announced the devolution of  power and authority to its zonal and port offices.

     The agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and his executive directors said many officers will be deployed in the zonal and port offices.

    They said the move will  boost operations, enforcement and compliance.

    NIMASA, Peterside said, has a mandate to contribute 25 per cent of its revenue to the Federal Government’s purse, urging  workers to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their statuary responsibilities to take the economy out of the wood.

    The NIMASA chief, accompanied by the executive directors, gave the directive yesterday during a tour of the Eastern Zone of the agency.

    Addressing stakeholders after his official visit to Naval base and NIMASA offices in Sapele, Warri and Yenagoa, Dakuku said the agency will register all small crafts operating on the nation’s territorial  waters to stop illegal activities.

    He commended the professionalism among the officers of the Nigerian Army and Navy in combating  piracy and insecurity on the waterways.

    The NIMASA director-general said he was happy with the role played by security agencies in suppressing piracy on the waters and directed all operators of small crafts to register with the agency or face sanctions.

    He the security agencies to assist in addressing the challenges posed by the operators of illegal jetties and small crafts within the zone.

    Dakuku said the agency would soon take a concrete position on the  floating dock, three barges and other useful equipment abandoned at the Naval base in Sapale.

    His words: “NIMASA has placed many notices to get owners of the floating dock and barges to remove them from our water but anybody has come forward to claim them and they are constituting serious problem to our water and causing problem to the environment.

    “By next week, the management will meet and come up with a quick solution to stop the problem and other identified challengies facing our maritime domain.”

  • Agents task NPA, NIMASA boards on maritime reform

    Agents task NPA, NIMASA boards on maritime reform

    CUSTOMS agents have set agenda for the boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administartion and Safety Agency (NIMASA): they should revamp the sector to increase revenue generation.

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) urged the boards to find a lasting solution to the dilapidated Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos; ensure security at the ports and hasten cargo clearance.

    According to ANCLA President Olayiwola Shittu, the boards and other agencies have the responsibility to make Nigeria ports hubs in the sub-region.

    He told The Nation that the board chairmen should prevail on the government to use part of the money generated from the ports monthly to fix the roads leading to the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.

    Mr Emmanuel Adesoye (NPA) and Maj-Gen. Jonathan Garba (NIMASA) alleged that the government had not done enough to provide basic infrastructure and tackle corruption at the ports. He urged the boards to devise strategies for increasing the tempo of activities at the ports.

    The ANLCA chief decried the deplorable state of the Lagos and Onne port roads, saying it was affecting cargo delivery, endangering workers’ lives and making things difficult for the people.

    Shittu urged the boards to seek explanation on what the money realised from the ports is being used for.

    “Is it good to read on the pages of newspapers that despite the recession, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generates over N50 billion monthly from the Lagos ports without any corresponding development of the roads that lead to the ports?” he queried.

    “Even the figure available to us showed that NPA, NIMASA, Customs, Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), the Standards Organisation of Nieria (SON) and other agencies are generating several billions of naira monthly and we are sure that about 80 per cent of the amount is generated in Lagos. Why is the government finding it difficult to develop port infrastructure and make the  ports attractive for business and generate more money?” he asked.

    He said: “Telling the Federal Government alone, this time around, will not be enough. It is time to hold agencies that base their existence on the ports responsible and ask for their interventions to put pressure on the government to intervene, to save the lives of Nigerians suffering and dying on these roads every day.

    “Other operational challenges in the ports were discussed and we resolved that they should be aggregated in writing, for appropriate action, especially against some shipping companies, through their home countries.”

  • NIMASA ‘ll continue to partner Navy — Peterside

    NIMASA ‘ll continue to partner Navy — Peterside

    The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that the agency will continue to partner the Nigerian Navy for the security of Nigerian waterways and the optimum exploration of the nation’s marine resources.

    The DG gave this assurance when Naval Cadets of the 66 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) visited the agency on a study visit.

    The DG assured the Cadets that the symbiotic relationship that exists between the NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy is inseparable because of the functions of both agencies, saying their visit to the NIMASA is auspicious as they will always have reason to interact with the Maritime Administration upon commissioning.

    Dr. Peterside praised the gallantry and bravery of Officers and Ratings of the Nigerian Navy, noting that the country’s Naval Force is one of the best in the world for which he has eternal pride.

    While appreciating the young Cadets for choosing to serve and protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, Dr. Peterside said: “You have chosen a very noble course as brave men and women. Only the brave will choose to enlist in our military. As courageous men and women, you have offered to make all forms of sacrifices, first for the good of our country and for all of us your country men and women so that we can move about freely; most importantly so that the territorial integrity of our nation will be protected”

    The Cadets of Course 66 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, who were led by Commander Alfred Oride, were in the NIMASA to familiarise themselves with the agency’s activities as they relate to the Nigerian Navy and visit other security agencies as part of the requirements of their programme.

     

  • FG constitutes boards for NPA, NIMASA

    FG constitutes boards for NPA, NIMASA

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the governing boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    A statement by the Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, disclosed that Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye is the Chairman of the NPA, while Major General Jonathan India Garba is the Chairman of the NIMASA.

    Other members of the NPA Board include Supo Shasore, Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu, Constance Harry Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu and Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester.

    Also on the board are Hadiza Bala Usman, Mohammed Bello Koko, Dr. Sekonte Davis, Professor Idris Abubakar and Mrs. I. J. Uche-Okoro.

     The board members of the NIMASA include Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth, Mohammed Gidado Muazu, Hon. Barrister Ebele Obi, S. U. Galadanchi, Ms Nene Betty Dike and Dakuku Peterside.

    Other members are Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo,

    Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Joseph Oluwarotimi Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed.

  • Buhari approves governing boards for NPA, NIMASA

    Buhari approves governing boards for NPA, NIMASA

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the composition of the Governing Boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    A statement issued by the Director (Press) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, disclosed that Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye is the Chairman of NPA, while Major General Jonathan India Garba is the Chairman of NIMASA.

    Other members of the NPA Board include Supo Shasore, Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu, Constance Harry Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu and Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester.

    Also in the board are Hadiza Bala Usman,Mohammed Bello Koko, Dr. Sekonte Davis, Prof.Idris Abubakar, and Mrs. I. J. Uche-Okoro.

    The board members of NIMASA include Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth, Mohammed Gidado Muazu, Hon. Barrister Ebele Obi, S. U. Galadanchi, Ms Nene Betty Dike, and Dakuku Peterside.

    Other members are Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Joseph Oluwarotimi Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed.

  • Peterside, NIMASA and reforms

    Peterside, NIMASA and reforms

    Mr Dakuku Peterside, Director General of NIMASA can be described as the man who saw tomorrow.  When he was appointed, without knowing what was coming defined his mission in the regulatory agency  in three powerful words, reform, restructure and reposition NIMASA as the most efficient maritime administration in Africa .

    The CEO of Nigeria’s apex maritime regulatory agency may not have known that there will be massive drop in container volumes in almost all the ports globally . It is on record that container throughput in ports of Los Angeles and Port of Long beach dropped drastically in the past six months . This is not peculiar to the United States as container volumes dropped in almost all major ports in Asia including Singapore a transshipment hub .

    When major shipping companies began to report incredible decline in profit  with a good number reporting losses it became clear that the shipping and maritime industry was passing through challenging times .

    The losses in revenue and profit suffered by shipping companies began to take a toll on new projects in the industry. A lot of new vessel projects previously ordered are being put on hold , worse affected are dry bulk and offshore  market vessels.  Many finance institutions were no longer excited to fund new vessel project because of the projection that it will take a long time for the industry to bounce back to huge profit era.  This also affected revenue for those who derive their revenue from spin off of shipping activities.

    Pressure is on carriers to cut cost of doing business and reduce freight to remain competitive . This has and will have significant impact on the general outlook of the shipping and maritime industry . This coupled with excess capacity in the industry has put the issue of reforms on the front burner of industry discourse . The need to readjust to new economic realities has become inevitable.

    This is where Dr Dakuku Peterside-led NIMASA seems to be getting it right . Since assuming office as CEO of Nigeria’s maritime regulator he has been single minded about reforms. He promised that before one year in office the processes in NIMASA will be fully automated and vessels can obtain provisional registration within forty eight hours and full registration in 30 days .  He promised to eliminate corruption and put NIMASA back on the path of transparency. Dakuku is leading an army to reform NIMASA’s vessel survey, inspection and certification program such that NIMASA will surpass all International maritime organisation indices.

    One area the public has acknowledged the new NIMASA helmsman as focused is giving Nigeria a voice in the international maritime community. Dr Peterside is building the right network to optimise  the benefit of international collaboration and support to unleash growth in Nigeria maritime industry. Being a man of ideas he has been able to sell Nigeria as the next big destination for maritime investment . No one will be surprised if NIGERIA is elected into IMO council by next year .

    Another area NIMASA has made significant impact is in responsiveness to industry changes . NIMASA is now much more dynamic and in sync with rapid changes in the industry . There is s sense of urgency to reform and reposition in the maritime industry.

    To navigate through a massive reform Dr Peterside-led NIMASA is developing a  medium term strategic road map to guide growth in the industry in an orderly manner .

    If there is any area that requires ingenuity it is in handling of massive drop of revenue in NIMASA by as much as 49% yet the new leadership in NIMASA has not slowed down in any of its core mandates.  Rather than impact negatively in the operations of NIMASA , the drop in revenue has spurred NIMASA to find new and creative ways of handling maritime regulation while tackling new developments in piracy and maritime security , environmental issues, implementation of cabotage regime for the benefit of Nigerians  and growing the number of seafarers.  NIMASA is on course and it is one institution that has proven that good leadership can turn a mess to a source of hope . These may not be the best of time for the maritime industry globally but it is a time of discovery for Nigeria on what strong and focused leadership can do for a people.

     

  • NIMASA committed to implementation of Cabotage Act, says Peterside

    NIMASA committed to implementation of Cabotage Act, says Peterside

    The Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said  the agency will ensure the Cabotage Act is fully implemented.

    This is contained in a statement by NIMASA’s Head of Corporate Communications  Hajia Lami Tumaka, on Monday, in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Cabotage Act is also known as the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003.

    According to the statement, the director-general said this when he received the leadership of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, led by the National President, Mr Matthew Alalade, in Lagos.

    Peterside said proper regulation of the Cabotage Act was instrumental to the development of the maritime sector, adding that Nigerians must be encouraged to be key players in the sector.

    He said the issue of abuse of waivers would be checked.

    “We have not realised the full potential of the Cabotage Act but we have moved a step ahead.

    “Just to be sure that we are committed to the full implementation of the Cabotage Act, issues relating to waiver abuse are being dealt with accordingly,” NAN quotes the director-general as saying.

    Peterside also said the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) would only be disbursed to those who would use it well.

    He said applicants must have the requisite criteria as beneficiaries.

    “We will rigorously screen applicants of the CVFF to ensure the funds are disbursed to people who would use it for purposes the funds are meant for,” the director-general added.

    Peterside said the agency “is screening maritime institutions, and would only accredit ones that can provide the training required in line with global best practices.”

    He, however, noted that NIMASA was not in a position to recognise any Merchant Navy Association as that function fell under the purview of the National Assembly.

    Earlier, the association decried the abuse of waivers in the implementation of the Cabotage Act.

    It requested the management of NIMASA to find ways of reviewing the Act to pave the way for indigenous operators to be more involved in coastal and inland trade in Nigeria.

    The association also sought greater collaboration with NIMASA, especially in the areas of maritime regulatory decision making and human capacity building for the growth and development of the industry.

     

  • NIMASA to implement Cabotage Act – Peterside

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said the agency is determined to ensure that the Cabotage Act is implemented to the letter.

    The Head, Corporate Communications Team of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka stated this in a statement released in Lagos, Monday.

    THE News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Cabotage Act is also known as the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003.

    According to the statement, the director-general said this when he received the leadership of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association led by the National President, Mr. Matthew Alalade at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

    Peterside said proper regulation of the Cabotage Act was instrumental to the development of the maritime sector, adding that Nigerians must always be encouraged to be key players in the sector.

    He said the issue of waivers’ abuse would be checked.

    “We have not realised the full potential of the Cabotage Act but we have moved a step ahead.

    “Just to be sure that we are committed to the full implementation of the Cabotage Act, issues relating to waiver abuse are currently being dealt with accordingly,’’ Peterside said.

  • Maritime security: NIMASA chief seeks agencies’ support

    Maritime security: NIMASA chief seeks agencies’ support

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called stakeholders to redouble their efforts in ensuring adequate security for the maritime sector..

    Peterside, who made the call when he hosted the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, at the agency’s head office in Lagos, decried the rise in piracy and called for strategic initiatives and synergy among stakeholders to arrest the trend.

    He said: “The operations report available to us is nothing to cheer about. While there is a drop in the number of vessels calling on our ports, there seem to be a comparative increase in piracy activities. This means that operationally, both NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy must step up our game in order to guarantee continuous prosperity of Nigeria’s economy.”

    While commending the Nigerian Navy for the considerable reduction of criminal activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters in the last three months, Peterside  challenged stakeholders to do more to eliminate the scourge.

    He acknowledged the existing partnership with the Nigerian Navy, which he said has been mutually beneficial, saying that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies is being reviewed to make it more effective and beneficial to the entire maritime industry.

    “I am confident that the strategies being put in place by the Nigerian Navy, including the launch of the FALCON EYE and partnerships with relevant stakeholders will go a long way in addressing the security challenges in our waterways” he said, and pledged the Agency’s continuous collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in the task of promoting a friendly environment for maritime activities in Nigeria.

    Responding, Rear Admiral  Bobai said he was in NIMASA on a familiarisation visit after taking over the Western Naval Command. He called for greater cooperation between the two agencies for the interest of Nigeria.

    He assured of the Nany’s readiness to partner with NIMASA, saying: “Our doors are open for a sustained partnership with your agency. There should be no obstacles to our collaboration which should guarantee the unhindered movement of vessels doing legitimate business in Nigerian waters.”

  • NIMASA to eliminate piracy

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) would eliminate piracy on the territorial waters, its Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said.

    Addressing multilateral and development agencies on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa  (MOWCA) sponsored integrated sub-regional coast guard function network in Brussels, Belgium, he said Nigeria is determined to stem the cycle of criminalities on its territorial waters.

    “We have a close working relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in order to foster an integrated approach to dealing with the menace.

    “We have also increased surveillance and have deployed world class maritime domain awareness assets in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority to monitor our maritime environment,” he said, adding that the country has deployed Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (MPA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force as well as other naval assets to patrol and monitor the waterways.

    Peterside observed that as a signatory to all IMO instruments and regulations relating to maritime security, Nigeria is committed to compliance to eliminate piracy and criminality on the high seas.

    He said the country is mindful of the serious risk posed by piracy and maritime crimes to life, navigational safety and the environment saying this is why NIMASA is strengthening the regional rescue coordination centre located in the country as well as enhance information sharing activities.

    Responding to questions on the rising cases of militancy in the Niger Delta region of the country, Peterside said Nigeria is adopting a multifaceted approach to deal with the challenge and assured the international shipping community that it is being tackled.

    He urged the maritime community to draw a distinction between criminality, piracy and militancy, reiterating that Nigeria is safe for shipping and other commercial activities in the maritime sector.

    Peterside appealed to international development agencies to work with Nigeria in resolving maritime security challenges in the country because of its strategic position to the overall maritime development in the continent given the size of her economy, population and geographical location.