Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
\nAgency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh has stated that the guidelines for
\nvessels calling at the Nigerian Ports recently issued by the Agency was
\nto ensure shipping activities continue in a way that would not allow the
\nspread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Dr. Jamoh who stated this when the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian
\nShippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello led some stakeholders,
\nincluding shipping companies to the NIMASA head office, in Lagos, also
\nsaid that while the Federal Government is concerned about the lives of
\nthe citizens in the country, the economy must be sustained, hence the
\nneed for collaboration with relevant Agencies, like the Shippers’
\nCouncil.<\/p>\n
While also acknowledging the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has
\nslowed down activities in the sector, he appealed for more understanding
\nas the global economy is going through a trying time, of which Nigeria
\nis not exempted.<\/p>\n
“We are in trying times and all hands must be on deck to sustain the
\nNigerian economy. Let me assure all stakeholders and the shipping
\ncommunity that on our part as a regulatory Agency we will continue to
\nembrace collaboration. This is a phase and it will soon be over, because
\ntoday’s pains are necessary for tomorrow’s gains”, Jamoh said.<\/p>\n
Speaking further on the guidelines, Dr. Jamoh noted that it was issued
\nbased on consultations with the International Maritime Organisation
\n(IMO) and in line with best global practices, adding that the guidelines
\nare still open to review as time goes on, all in the best interest of
\neverybody involved.<\/p>\n
“The world was not prepared for the pandemic and that is why we are
\ntrying to ease the pressure on our industry, while taking necessary
\nprecautions to safeguard lives. We will continue to review these
\nguidelines where necessary to ensure that shipping does not suffer,
\nespecially when it comes to movement of medical facilities through the
\nsea”, the DG said.<\/p>\n
In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’
\nCouncil, Barrister Hassan Bello, corroborated the stance of the NIMASA
\nDG and appealed for more cooperation and collaboration from the shipping
\ncompanies and stakeholders in the sector. He gave the assurance that
\nFederal Government Agencies in the sector will endeavor to work together
\nand synergise to ensure ease of information sharing through a single
\ndata window, as it will help the sector to grow.<\/p>\n
Accordingly, he stated that “at this period, we must sustain our economy
\nthrough shipping, though it is a delicate balance, considering the havoc
\nthe pandemic has caused the globe that is why we are working hand in
\nhand to ensure ports activities continue, while not being detrimental to
\nhuman lives”.<\/p>\n
Earlier, representatives of some shipping companies, who attended the
\nmeeting appealed to the Agency to consider voyages less than 14 days in
\nthe marine notice review in order to avoid undue delay and port
\ncongestion. They also commended the proactive efforts of the Agency in
\nissuing the notice.<\/p>\n
The Managing Director, PIL Shipping, Jack Langrishe, Managing Director,
\nPorts & Terminal Multiservice Limited, Ascanio Russo, General Manager,
\nARKAS Line, Iain Lindsay, and the Executive Directors of NIMASA were
\nalso present at the meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh has stated that the guidelines for vessels calling at the Nigerian Ports recently issued by the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-news"],"yoast_head":"\n