The world maritime watchdog, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has thumbs up Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for the strides it has made to build what it called a “robust maritime sector” in Nigeria.
In the same vein, the United Nations (UN) specialized agency also hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Dayo Mobereola as the Director General of NIMASA.
IMO in a letter personally signed by its Secretary General, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said it recognized the strides of the agency in building a robust maritime sector just as it commended the significant effort, initiatives, and investment that Nigeria has made in strengthening its maritime institutions.
While congratulating Mobereola on his appointment, Dominguez also assured him of his support in delivering on his mandate.
His words: “The focus on strengthening maritime law enforcement and security architecture has been welcomed by seafarers and flag states. The deep blue project and the C4i Centre as well as maritime piracy laws under the SPOMO Act are just some of the many investments that have set a new gold standard in the region in maritime security capacity building”.
“IMO has long supported the regional role of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and its member states in strengthening maritime security and law enforcement. In this respect, we have been greatly encouraged with the continuation of this regional ownership with the formation and work of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and Shared Awareness and De-confliction (GoG-MCF/SHADE) in 2021”.
In a statement signed by NIMASA Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie and made available to Maritime Bits, Dominguez commended the agency’s partnership with the various regional bodies, and expressed the readiness of the IMO to work with Nigeria and other member states on many maritime issues with the aim of jointly tackling these issues.
“NIMASA’s partnership with the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) and the collaboration with the shipping industry, navies and the Yaoundé architecture has been instrumental in suppressing the threat of piracy to merchant vessels and seafarers in line with UN Security Council resolution 2634 (2022) on piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea and IMO Assembly resolution A.1159 (32). I look forward to working with you and your colleagues on many of the maritime issues that we are jointly tackling and hope to welcome you in person at the IMO”, Dominguez added.
