The Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, recently toured facilities and assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Assets inspected include; the NIMASA Command, Control and Computer Centre (C4i), the NIMASA Modular Floating Dockyard, the NIMASA E-library and Vessels belonging to the Agency undergoing dry docking at the Naval Dockyard Victoria Island.
The Minister expressed delight at the equipment and assets of NIMASA noting that it underscores the importance the Federal Government attaches to combating maritime crimes and eliminating illegal activities on the nation’s territorial waters.
She commended the synergy and collaboration amongst Agencies of Government in the maritime sector, and expressed delight at the fact that Nigeria has witnessed piracy free waters in 2022.
“For over 28 years, we have been in the press for the wrong reasons, over the piracy issues at the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). We were there when Mr. President commissioned the DEEP BLUE PROJECT last year and within that short frame of time, we have broken the jinx, and for the last five months zero attacks, so I think that says it all for my assessment of NIMASA”. The Minister said.
Senator Saraki highlighted the need to sustain the momentum to ensure Nigeria remains attractive to investors adding that the Ministry is delighted at the steps NIMASA is taking to address the issue of War Risk Insurance premium on Nigerian Bound Cargoes.
“The most important thing now is that we don’t rest on our oars. The Free Trade Agreement and how it affects Nigeria is our focus.
“We hope to create an enabling environment to be very attractive and highly competitive when compared to neighboring countries and collaboration amongst all maritime Agencies of Government in terms of information gathering and sharing is key in achieving this”. She said.
On his part, the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the focus of the Agency is to sustain the achievements in recent times, adding that the plans are in three categories of short medium and long term.
“We are very optimistic that the clamor for the removal of war risk insurance premium on Nigerian bound cargos will soon yield positive results. The international community desires sustainability of the war on piracy and maritime crimes in Nigeria. The good thing is that they are part and parcel of our processes and procedures.” He said.
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