SEA PROTECTION: NIMASA INAUGURATES MARINE LITTER MARSHALS

…As Dakuku Charges Nigerians on Sustainable Use of Ocean Resources.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has inaugurated Marine Litter Marshals to assist the Agency in ridding the oceans of unwanted waste materials that could cause environmental degradation and also impede safety of navigation on the nation’s territorial waters.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre in Lagos, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside charged Nigerians on the sustainable use of the ocean resources and added that there are so many activities dependent on the ocean; hence the need to ensure it is clean and properly utilized.

Accordingly, the DG said, “the state of health of the ocean is related to the state of our health and our economy; therefore we must stop the indiscriminate dumping of materials in our ocean”.

He further stated that, marine litter directly impacts on ocean life, marine habitats, human health, and navigational safety with potential impacts on socio-economic development of nations. This he stressed necessitated the Agency to collaborate with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Partnership Action (GPA) in 2015 to carry out a scientific study on marine litter challenge in Nigeria, thereby culminating to the development of the national action plan on marine litter and its campaign concept.

Dr. Peterside who used the opportunity to charge the marshals to go to the ports, coastlines and littoral communities and enlighten them on the need to maintain cleaner oceans; enjoined them to also keep watch and ensure that the right thing is done so that our eco system can be preserved. He further warned that the Agency will not condone indiscriminate dumping of waste at sea.  

Also speaking at the event was a marine environment expert and the President of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria, Professor Osinbajo Oladele, who applauded the initiative and described the Agency as a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa. He said there is the need to preserve our oceans as it holds a lot of opportunities in developing the nation.

He stated further that there is the need for inter-generational equity of our resources, which means the survival of the eco system is dependent on this present generation as it will affect the future generation. “The environment is not a gift from our parents, but a loan from our children. We must therefore do all we can to preserve it”, Professor Osinbajo said.

It may be recalled that the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972, commonly called the "London Convention" and also abbreviated as Marine Dumping, is an agreement to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention. It covers the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, and platforms.

NIMASA as the Agency of government responsible for Marine Environment Management in its continuous quest to reposition the Nigerian maritime sector in line with global best practices has taken the step to engage some young Nigerians as marine litter marshals who are expected to ensure that the oceans are kept clean and safe.

CAPACITY BUILDING: NIMASA SIGNS MoU WITH WORLD MARITIME UNIVERSITY

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency, NIMASA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with the World Maritime University, Malmo Sweden to develop human capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector.

Speaking shortly after the signing of the MoU, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who led a delegation from Nigeria to Malmo, expressed optimism that the MoU will help the Agency realize its strategic plans to reposition the Nigerian maritime sector for greater efficiency adding that it is in line with the ongoing reforms being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside (3^rd from left), President of the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo, Sweden, CleopatraDoumbia-Henry, Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NIMASA, Mr. Bashir Jamoh and others in a photograph after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NIMASA and the WMU in Sweden.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside in a handshake with the President of the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo, Sweden, CleopatraDoumbia-Henry after the signing a Memorandum of Understanding between NIMASA and the WMU in Sweden.

“This MoU with WMU is an important element of the strategic reforms and repositioning of NIMASA to be the leading maritime administration in Africa. This is also part of ongoing reforms of the maritime sector in Nigeria which the President of Nigeria and Minister of Transportation are championing. The partnership with WMU is in line with the four pillar of NIMASA’s medium term growth plan which addresses capacity building and particularly raising a new generation of forward looking Maritime policy makers and regulators,” Dr. Peterside said.

Accordingly, the MoU covers academic, collaborative and reciprocal activities in the fields of training and research to be provided by WMU geared towards building capacity to grow the Nigerian maritime industry. Arrangements relating to fellowship funding for the WMU M.Sc programme are included as well as the M.Phil programme offered in cooperation with the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta. Further, the MoU provides for NIMASA officers to take advantage of WMU’s distance learning portfolio as well as Executive Professional Development Courses to reinforce the capacity of its staff.

Dr. Peterside, who expressed gratitude to the President and Management of WMU for their cooperation, also gave a firm commitment that NIMASA will actively implement the provisions of the MoU.

On her part, the President of the WMU, CleopatraDoumbia-Henry embraced the signing of the MoU and expressed optimism that it will help support Nigeria’s economic growth and the competitiveness of its maritime industry, adding that it also supports the WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her words, “We are delighted with the engagement with NIMASA in the framework of this MoU which will set the stage for a new partnership with Nigeria. It will also help support Nigeria’s economic growth and the competitiveness of its maritime industry as well as advance the maritime interest of the country. This MoU also supports WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),  especially Goal 4 which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; and Goal 14 which covers ocean issues, including maritime.”

It may be recalled that the current Executive Management of NIMASA has embraced collaboration as a hallmark, as it is the only way to generate new ideas for economic growth. Also, the DG has stated at various fora that the Agency is willing to partner with any relevant organization that can help actualize the vision of a robust maritime sector in Nigeria.