The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the last 100 days of the Dr Bashir Jamoh’s administration has hit the ground running with coordinated Maritime Security, Safety and Shipping Development (3S) plan to reconstruct the sector to be dependable for the Nigerian economy.
The new Management at the agency has outlined implementable policies and programmes intended to change the narratives in the Nigerian Maritime industry, through Shipping Development, Safety and Security of the Nigerian Maritime domain and provision of job opportunities, financing in order to create opportunities for Nigerians.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Yusuf Jamoh with his Executive Directors while briefing journalists on his scorecard in his first 100 days in the office said, the agency is now repositioned to tackle the multitude of challenges confronting the sector headlong and make it lucrative for maritime business to strife.
MARITIME SECURITY ( TACKLING PIRACY)
Jamoh said a total of 27 alleged pirates were apprehended in the last three months. According to him, 17 are in the custody of the Nigerian Police, while 10 were arrested by the Nigerian Navy in Collaboration with the agency and they are facing prosecution in accordance with the anti-piracy law.
He remarked that since 2016, not until the last two months, no single pirate has been arrested in Nigerian waters.
He said the feat was achieved by a joint effort of the NIMASA, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Police, revealing that every agency involved share information at different levels which led to the arrest of the culprits.
SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT (DISBURSEMENT OF CVFF):
The NIMASA boss hinted that before the end of October 2020, the first leg of beneficiaries of the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF) will get their funds.
He said ” Have just been appointed the Chairman of the CVFF disbursement committee by the Minister of Transportation. We are working to disburse the CVFF, before October, we will disburse the first leg of the fund to beneficiaries ”
DEPLOYMENT OF CONTROVERSIAL NIMASA FLOATING DOCK:
The NIMASA, DG said the agency and the NPA are almost finalising arrangements to deploy the floating dock to the Continental Shipyard owned by the NPA under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Jamoh said, already oil/gas majors are ready to dry-docked their ships with the facility and is expected to generate over N1billion annually and over 350 workers will be employed, adding that the floating dock will serve Nigeria foreign exchange and generate more revenue to the government as well as serve as a seatime training of Cadets in mechanical and electrical fields.
DEEP BLUE PROJECT:
On the commencement of the Deep Blue Project, Jamoh said over 85% of the project has been achieved. According to him out of the 17 Special Mission Vessels ordered, 14 have arrived, the armoured vehicles are ready, two Special Mission Aircraft are expected in October, while the three Special Mission Helicopters ordered are expected to arrive in January 2021.
Based on this, Jamoh said the agency went to ground zero in terms of platforms and equipment to fight piracy. But he assured with the arrival of these platforms the agency is set to battle criminality in Nigeria waters and generate more revenue, emphasising also that, the Deep Blue Project will provide training and employment to the teaming Nigeria youths.
He said the only aspect of the project remaining now is the training of personnel that will man the platforms, as according to him due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the training could have commenced which comprises of both foreign and local training.
COVID-19 PALLIATIVES AND INCENTIVES TO MARITIME OPERATORS
Jamoh said the agency has presented a proposal to the Transportation Minister for approval and he hopes it will be approved, assuring that if palliatives are being approved for other sectors of the economy, he hopes the industry needs incentives to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Jamoh also said the agency is engaging all stakeholders, including the media to reorganise the industry for greater performance.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), has lauded the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Navy, and also pledged its total support to the Federal Government of Nigeria over its renewed efforts in compelling piracy and other maritime crimes.
The agency believes that by these efforts, the country is sending a “strong and valuable message” to the global community and therefore commends the NIMASA, and the Nigerian Navy, who has been at the forefront of the anti-piracy war.
Secretary-General of the IMO, Kitack Lim, who conveyed the excitement of the UN, also commended the new Director-General of Dr. Bashir Jamoh, for his brave and dynamic approach towards maritime security.
