The director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Mr.Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has expressed satisfaction with the partnership between his agency and the Nigerian Navy. He described the two institutions as partners in progress in the battle to keep Nigeria’s territorial waters free from piracy and all forms of illegalities.
A statement issued in Lagos and signed by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations Department, Mr.IsicheiOsamgbi, said Akpobolekemi made the commendation last week while playing host to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel IlesanmiAlade who paid him a courtesy visit.
The Director General was quoted as having stressed the importance of the Navy to the development of the nation’s maritime sector and reiterated the commitment of NIMASA to fight piracy, develop human capacity, ensure safety of vessels, removal of wrecks and prevent and mitigate the effects of pollution, all in a bid to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.
He emphasized that the agency’s efforts were geared toward the growth and development of the nation’s maritime sector. The statement said that NIMASA owed the international community the assurance of the safety of vessels, crew and cargo on the Nigerian waters.
It said that this obligation was important to foster shipping trade between Nigeria and the rest of the world. Akpobolokemi pledged the agency’s continuous support to the
Navy in daily operations and also commended the efforts of the officers and men in combating piracy.
“Piracy is capable of crippling the nation’s economy. Since shipping largely contributes to the growth of any economy, the economy cannot thrive where piracy activities are carried out,” he stressed. The DG also commended the management of the Nigerian Navy for creating the Central Naval Command, noting that this would help to checkmate all forms of illegalities in the maritime space in those areas.
In his response, Rear Adm. Alade commended NIMASA for its efforts in checking the activities of pirates on the nation’s territorial waters.
Alade lauded NIMASA in the area of human capacity development within and outside the agency.
“The Nigerian Navy will ensure that the partnership between it and NIMASA grows from strength to strength and will continue to work hard to ensure that the nation’s maritime sector is more attractive and business friendly to potential investors,” Rear Admiral Alade said.
He assured the agency of more mutually beneficial relationships.
The NIMASA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Navy in the area of maritime security.
