The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has provided technical support to Instituto Marito e Portuaruo IMAP in São Tomé and Príncipe, its Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh has said.
A statement issued by NIMASA and signed by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie quoted Jamoh saying this while making a presentation at an event in São Tomé.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the Nigerian Ambassador to São Tomé, Ambassador Gambo Hamza was in attendance at the event.
The NIMASA helmsman noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to regional maritime development premised on cooperation.
Jamoh who was represented by NIMASA Director Special Duties, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi stated that it has become imperative for African countries particularly in the Gulf of Guinea to help one another to ensure proper harnessing of the regional maritime potential.
His words: “Recently, it has become very pertinent for African countries to continue to collaborate and strengthen their relationships; helping one another in their areas of need, for us to harness the vast opportunities we have to the best of our abilities. Particularly in the maritime sector, the Gulf of Guinea is one area where that is most needed as encouraged by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)”.
According to him, evidences in the past have shown that when nations and organizations work together, each bringing in their vast areas of strength, they tend to develop faster and grow their economies better.
The Nigerian Ambassador to São Tomé, Ambassador Gambo Yusuf Hamza in his remarks, commended the management of NIMASA just as he added that the recent achievements in the Gulf of Guinea has improved the image of Nigeria in the country.
Continuing, Hamza argued that considering that no nation can singlehandedly tackle transnational crimes such as piracy and trafficking in arms, it has become expedient for cluster of nations across the world to cooperate, join resources and fight criminal elements in our waterways. He acknowledged NIMASA leading effort in the fight against piracy and ensure the safety and waterways in the region.
