The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the
Nigerian Navy have resolved to deepen their collaboration with the aim of
providing a safe and secure maritime environment for shipping activities.
This pledge was re-emphasised when the Acting Director General of NIMASA,
Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro paid a working visit to the Chief of the Naval
Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Head Quarters Abuja.
Mr. Jauro who stated NIMASA’s commitment to renew and strengthen the
existing Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations commended
the Nigerian Navy for keeping to the spirit and letters of the MoU which
he said has drastically improved safety in the Nigerian maritime domain.
According to the DG, “having acquired a satellite surveillance system that
is capable of monitoring in real time vessel activities in our maritime
domain, NIMASA is also committed to the MoU with the Nigerian Navy both of
which have the overall aim of making Nigeria a maritime destination of
choice for both operators and investors”.
The DG said the determination of the Agency to enhance business activities
in the maritime sector by ensuring safety and security also led to a
Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Global West Vessel
Specialists Limited (GWVSL) which was approved by the Federal Government.
According to him, the mandate of GWVSL is to procure and bunker vessels
for NIMASA’s operations, manned by the personnel of the Nigerian Navy on a
Supply, Operate and Transfer (SOT) basis for a 10 year period after which
ownership of the vessels will revert to NIMASA.
Responding, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas
appreciated the efforts of the Management of NIMASA in the past eight
years since the MoU was first signed most especially in the areas of
training of officers and logistics support to Naval operations.
Throwing light on the use of NIMASA vessels by the Nigerian Navy
personnel, Admiral Ibas stated that by the provisions of the MoU, “we
(Nigerian Navy) provide security, we arm those ships. By whatever means
the vessels are acquired, the Nigerian Navy is fully manning those boats
and we still do”.
Admiral Ibas also advocated for a review of the existing Memorandum of
Understanding to reflect current realities and to make it more effective
and beneficial to both organisations and the country at large.