All is now set for the relocation of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) modular floating dock from Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island to the waterfront of the Dolphine Jetty at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dockyard, Apapa, Lagos.
NIMASA stated this yesterday in a statement signed by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie made available to Maritime Bits.
It is on record that the NPA dockyard used to host the defunct Continental Shipyard, Apapa, Lagos.
According to the statement, a Nigerian registered company, Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited which has Mr. Danny Fuchs as its Managing Director is responsible for the relocation of the modular floating dock.
The firm which is the technical partners of the agency in the relocation of the multibillion naira modular floating dock had earlier in the week engaged its management on the details of how it intends to execute its operations.
Fuchs noted that the firm was committed to executing the project of relocating the modular floating dock.
His words: “Our job is to move the modular floating dock from the present location to the waterfront of the Dolphine Jetty at Apapa. THSD SEA LION which occupied the leased area at the water front have vacated the jetty now. We have a commercial understanding with NIMASA on how to execute this project.
“We have submitted a feasibility study taking note of the mooring system required to anchor the modular floating dock at the Dolphine Jetty. The mooring system supplied by the manufacturers of the modular floating dock is made up of two steel piles of 36 meters length, 2 meters in diameter and a weight of roughly 48 tonnes each. These massive piles need to be driven about 20 meters into the seabed. We will bring our expertise to bear in carrying out this project. We also hope to invite the manufacturers, Damen Shipyard to join forces in achieving this relocation project. We will work with Damen Shipyard to ensure the modular floating dock is seaworthy before the relocation. This is to commission the modular floating dock before relocation.”
In his charge to officials of Melsmore, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh emphasised the need for them to review the action plan in the light of realities on ground with detailed deliverables, and key performance indicators with clearly stated timelines.
“Nigerians eagerly await the deployment of the Modular Floating Dock. This is a national asset, which has potentials to boost maritime trade, create jobs, develop skills, by providing training avenues to various maritime training institutions in Nigeria, while also attracting foreign investment and preventing capital flight, thereby generating revenue. We hope to have students from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria and the Maritime University Okerenkoko amongst other maritime institutions come for practical time”, he said.
