CSR: ROTARY HONOURS NIMASA FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

·        Hails Flood Relief Programme

Rotary International, District 9110, has honoured the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) with an Award for Outstanding CSR Programme for its stellar Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.

Director-General, NIMASA, Representative, Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isichei Osambgi (left), with the German Consul General, Dr. Stefan Traumann, at the presentation of the Rotary Outstanding Invaluable Company Award to NIMASA for its Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts in Nigeria, in Lagos, recently.

Rotary said the award bestowed on the Agency at its recent Friendship Night, which also doubled as the launch of the Governor’s Magazine, was particularly in recognition of NIMASA’s recent donations to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of natural and man-made disasters across the country.

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Besides the donation of relief materials to IDPs and flood victims in 20 states of the federation, the Support to the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) and the Nigerian Squash Federation (NSF) were among the Agency’s charitable activities that the Rotary Club noted as making it eligible for the award.

L-R:  District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Dr. Kola Sodipo; Director-General, NIMASA, Representative, Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isichei Osambgi; and Chairman, Educational Committee, Rotary, Arinze Okamelu, at the presentation of the Rotary Outstanding Invaluable Company Award to NIMASA for its Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts in Nigeria, in Lagos, recently.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, said while receiving the award, “We thank the Rotary Club for this honour. It is surely a spur for us to do more of the things we have been doing in our little space to improve the state of our country and our fellow citizens.

“NIMASA is a socially responsible citizen. Though our core mandates are to regulate and promote shipping as well as other related maritime ventures in Nigeria, we are deeply conscious of the difficulties of natural disaster victims. We are always with them in empathy and physical steps to ameliorate their situation.”

He added, “As a responsible corporate citizen, NIMASA will continue to back the Federal Government’s efforts to give hope to Nigerians, no matter the challenges we face."

District Governor, Rotary 9110, Rotary International, Mr. Kola Sodipo, who presented the award, said, “The Agency deserves the award given to it because of the CSR activities it has been carrying out across the federation, which has really touched the lives of Nigerians at the point they need help the most.”

Sodipo thanked NIMASA for its continued support to the Rotary Club, saying regarding the award to the Agency, “The more you give the more that comes to you.” 

The event was well attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including the German Consul General, businessmen and socialites.

GOVT IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WELFARE NIMASA TELLS FLOOD VICTIMS

…As the Agency Donates Relief Materials to Delta IDPs

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has reiterated the Federal and State government’s concern about providing adequate succour aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by floodings spread across the country.

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Dr. Dakuku stated this in Asaba, Delta State recently during presentation of relief items to the IDPs in the State, in continuation of the Agency’s nationwide donation of relief materials to victims of flood and other natural disasters in 20 States of the federation, in line with the Agency Corporate Social Responsibility drive.

L-R: Head, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Isichei Osamgbi (4th from right) presenting relief materials to representative of the Delta State Government, Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Ernest Ogwezy (3rd from left) and other officials of the state government during the visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) camp by NIMASA Officials. 

Represented by the NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, the DG commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones and property while assuring them of the Agency's unalloyed preparedness to extend support to Nigerians in distress.

According to the DG, “we are here to extend our hands of fellowship to you and to let you know that NIMASA cares. The fact that you are here today, does not make you any less Nigerian. It is circumstances that brought you here. As a socially responsible corporate entity, NIMASA remains committed to supporting all Nigerians in distress, irrespective of any potential or visible odds”.

Speaking further, the representative of the DG noted that Delta State was one of the 20 States earmarked for the programme and that it is the responsibility of government to carter for victims of natural disasters such as flood as well as man-made disasters, like insurgency and other forms of conflict.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the Government of Delta State, the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Ernest Ogwezy, in attendance with the Delta State SEMA Director Mr. Karo Ovemoso, and the NIMASA Deputy Director Central Zone, Femowei Abel, the Assistant Director Admin Mohammed Zakari, thanked NIMASA for the gesture and stated that the items brought will be judiciously used to ensure a better standard of living for the IDPs in the State.

According to Hon. Ogwezy, “We as a government are very much aware of the plight of our people. Though it may seem as if their pride has been taken away by their circumstance, we will continue to admonish them to know that today there is hope, hope galvanised by good governance and sound leadership. NIMASA is a good example and we urged other government institutions to emulate the magnanimity of this strategic Agency”.

Materials donated ranged from Mattresses, Garri, School Bags, Salt, Rice, Fishing Nets, Blanket, Tins of Powder Milk, beverages, Soap/ Detergents, Sugar, noodles, palm/vegetable oil, amongst others, were received by the Commissioner who emphasised that the Bureau for Special Duties Office and the state SEMA will ensure they reach the beneficiaries and are used adequately.

It is worthy of note that the Federal Government has consistently encouraged Government Agencies, interested philanthropists and non-governmental organisations to partner with government in order to adequately cater for the needs of Nigerians who are affected by one form of disaster or another. It is in line with such encouragement that the Management of NIMASA embarked on provision of relief materials of diverse forms to the Internally Displaced Persons across 20 states of the federation.

NIMASA COMMITTED TO RELEASE OF HIJACKED MT APECUS CREW

·        Suspects Illegal Trading Activities

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the Indian High Commission in Nigeria and other security agencies have commenced investigations into an incident involving a Palau flagged Tanker, MT APECUS, off the coast of Bonny, Nigeria.

The hijack of the vessel, with IMO no.7333810 and call sign no. T8WU, occurred on the 19^th of April, 2019 and resulted in the abduction of seven crew comprised of five Indian nationals and two other individuals of unspecified nationality.

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Speaking in Lagos on the hijack, the DG of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside while condemning the hijack and sympathizing with the victims, pledged the Agency’s commitment to the rescue, working with other relevant government security organization, noting that;“Preliminary investigations carried out by NIMASA  into the vessel involved has thrown up several unresolved facts. Firstly, the MT APECUS has been conducting trading activities in Nigerian waters since 2014 without any valid permits or documentation”.

It was further observed that the vessel has changed name and the flag under which she operates on no less than a combined fifteen (15) recorded instances with an additional five changes in call sign since 1993 and four MMSI changes which all point to her suspected involvement in illegal activities.

Before her hijack, she was spotted in Lome, Togo on the 26th of February, 2019 for an hour, Tema, Ghana for two hours on the 27th of February, 2019 and Lagos anchorage for twenty nine minutes on 2nd April 2019 until her eventual hijack on the 19th of April.

Reports also indicate the vessel was in the habit of switching off her Automatic Identification System (AIS) in order to avoid detection and had done the same thing prior to being attacked which had made locating her whereabouts extremely difficult. There is no clarity on her business in Bonny area where the incident occurred.

It is worth noting that the Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, facilitated by NIMASA, has been passed by the House of Representatives and had undergone the second reading at the Senate, which NIMASA believe will help fight issue of Piracy in our waters.

NIMASA remains optimistic that the Bill, when passed into law will give the Agency along with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies the necessary impetus and framework to further fight all forms of maritime insecurity in Nigerian territorial waters and the greater Gulf of Guinea maritime domain.

Nigeria Long Overdue for National Fleet, Says Dakuku

…Pledges to support implementation committee

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that Nigeria is way overdue for an active national fleet that would properly position it in the comity of maritime nations.

Dakuku stated this in Lagos when he played host to members of the National Fleet Implementation Committee (NFIC) at the headquarters of the Agency, pointing out that National Fleet will energize the maritime sector, retain huge spending on freight in-country and create job opportunities to grow the economy.

He declared the Agency’s readiness to support the Committee, saying, “The national fleet implementation is long overdue and so NIMASA will work assiduously with the committee to ensure that the national fleet is restored to its past glory so that our nation can be reckoned with in the comity of maritime nations.”

The Director-General stated that NIMASA had taken a lot of steps towards developing the maritime sector and increasing indigenous participation. He detailed the measures to include repositioning of the Nigerian Ship Registry; securing a special tax regime, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service; and changing of trade terms from Free on Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF).

Others are engaging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in negotiation for one digit interest rate for Shipowners to help in the acquisition of maritime assets; collaborating with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; and supporting the Nigerian Navy in capacity building.

“The national fleet implementation will create employment and wealth opportunities in Nigeria. The focus lab will also help Nigerians to understand the maritime sector and bring the players together to solve and understand issues better,” he said.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Hassan Bello, during his presentation enumerated the work done so far by the committee and solicited NIMASA’s support. Bello also requested a joint briefing with NIMASA to the Honourable Minister of Transportation to get his buy-in on the need to go through the Focus Lab to realise the Nigerian fleet project. He said there was need for the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Budget and National Panning to write a joint memo to the Federal Executive Council and other relevant arms of the government for approval to hold the lab.

NFIC was set up by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, to work out modalities for the establishment and sustenance of a Nigerian Fleet.

It should be recalled that Nigeria had a lot of vessels under the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) before it was liquidated in 1995 and this is a major effort to resuscitate the National fleet

Maritime Tourism Can Grow Nigeria’s Economy – NIMASA DG

·        Tasks Stakeholders on Opportunities

·        Agency Wins Maritime Regulator of the Year Award.

Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called for concerted effort by stakeholders towards the development of coastal and maritime tourism in Nigeria, saying when fully harnessed, the sector can contribute greatly to the economy. Dakuku said this while receiving an award at the Second Edition of the National Tourism and Transport Summit held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, with the theme, “Tourism and Transportation Inter-dependencies for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”

Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), who represented the Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, receiving the Outstanding Maritime Operations Regulator of the Year (Sea/Offshore) award from President of the Institute of Tourism Professionals, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, at the National Tourism and Transport Summit held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja recently.

Dakuku charged stakeholders and investors to tap into the huge opportunities in maritime tourism, which is a crucial part of the Blue Economy. He assured potential investors that NIMASA would help to create an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

The Director-General urged coastal states to follow the example of Lagos in making conscious efforts to harness their maritime potential.   

Dakuku, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, explained that with Nigeria's maritime endowments, maritime tourism could be a major revenue earner and huge contributor to the government's economic diversification agenda.

“While the tourism potential in other aspects of the economy are being maximised to a reasonable extent, the potential of coastal and maritime tourism in Nigeria remains grossly under-tapped,” Dakuku stated.

He challenged coastal states in the country to emulate Lagos, saying it “is the only state that has shown substantial commitment towards developing maritime tourism as a critical pillar of its economic development.”

According to him, with a coastline of about 852 kilometres and an inland waterways of over 8, 000 kilometres, Nigeria has the natural habitat to grow its maritime tourism industry to be one of the biggest in the sub-region.

The Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP), organisers of the National Tourism and Transport Summit, said they presented the award of Outstanding Maritime Operations Regulator of the Year (Sea and Offshore) to NIMASA in recognistion of the Agency's commitment and strategic initiatives towards the development of the sector.

Participants at the two-day event deliberated on ways of harnessing the interdependence of tourism and transport for the sustainable growth and development of the tourism industry, in particular, and the Nigerian economy, as a whole.

MARITIME TRADE: NIMASA, PORT OF ANTWERP SET TO PARTNER

As part of efforts to boost trade and encourage foreign direct investment opportunities in the Nigerian maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to partner with the Port of Antwerp in Belgium. This position was made known by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, when he played host to a team from the Port of Antwerp in Belgium led by the Director, Africa Port of Antwerp International, Mr. Nico Vertongen, in Lagos.

Speaking at the meeting, the NIMASA DG stated that the Port of Antwerp had had a long standing relationship with the ports community in Lagos, noting that from 2017 till date, 302 vessels have called between the Port of Antwerp and the ports community in Lagos. He said within the period, 33 vessels conveyed export goods from the port of Lagos terminating at the Port of Antwerp, with 22 Belgium-flagged vessels calling at Nigerian ports and several other volumes of transaction.

Dakuku said the Agency was willing to consolidate on the gains of the Nigeria-Belgian relationship. 

“We have always had a business relationship with the port of Antwerp either as destination ports or ports of origin. We are glad to know that you are in Nigeria and planning to lead a business mission sometime in November to the Lagos Port Community. Our position is straight forward and clear; we welcome the business mission with our doors open and believe there is a lot we can do together,” the DG said.

Dakuku also stated that the November meeting will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship in diverse ways that will also give opportunities for exchange of ideas. “It  will also open opportunities for training for our people and it will give you a better understanding of how the ports in Lagos, Nigeria, in Africa work, leading to the volume of trade between ports and other operations,” he added.

The DG who expressed concerns about the isolated negative representation of the Nigerian maritime sector in the media, said efforts were being made to stem it. He told the delegation that the Agency, which has the responsibility to ensure maritime security in the ports and waterways, had put in place a number of strategies, including a legal framework on piracy and maritime crime and acquisition of assets to build up response capability, to stop the pirates and criminals from operating within the coastal waters. The Agency is also building up alliance with Nigeria’s immediate neighbours, Dakuku stated.

“Therefore, in November, we will have the opportunity of setting up business to business meetings; we have a number of Nigeria businesses that are interested in doing business with operators in Belgium, precisely in the ports of Antwerp. And as you have notified us today, we will begin to prepare ship owners in Nigeria; those who have set up ship repair yards, ship building yards, operators and all of those for business to business meeting in November and it is believed that it will be rewarding”, Dr. Dakuku said.

Earlier in his address, the Director, Africa of the Port of Antwerp International, Mr. Nico Vertongen, who spoke on behalf of the delegation noted that the Port of Antwerp intended to come to Nigeria in November on a business mission with the intention of boosting the already existing relationship between the ports community in Lagos and the Antwerp port.

He also expressed their readiness to partner the Agency on port security, safety and also possible areas of training, adding that the meeting will further be an opportunity for the duo to be official partners.  

NIMASA has continued to embrace collaboration and partnership, thereby allowing it to fully actualise its dream of creating a robust maritime sector in line with best global practices.

NIMASA COMMENCES PROCESS TO END GAS EMISSION ON VESSELS

 Agency Chosen for Pilot Project in West/Central Africa

 The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on May 10 had a landmark inaugural installation ceremony of the Thorium-X tablet, a fuel consumption data collection device, on board a Nigerian-flagged fuel tanker vessel, MT KINGIS, commencing the process targeted at ending green-house gas emissions on vessels. 

Dr Oma Ofodile (Assistant Director NIMASA MEM)demonstrating how the tablet is used to Captain Jai Varunayaa of the MT KINGIS and a crew member.

The pilot project, which came as fallout of the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) conference held in Kenya in March, aims at reducing fuel consumption by vessels.  The MTCC is targeted towards developing countries, and Nigeria was made a priority and nominated for the pilot project.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, speaking at the installation ceremony, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to global best practices in the execution of its mandate of regulating the maritime industry. 

Dakuku, who was represented by the Head of the Marine Environment Management (MEM) Unit at NIMASA, Dr (Mrs.) Felicia Mogo, stated, “NIMASA is ensuring that we are keeping to global best practices with a commendable track record in administration and regulation in the maritime sector.

“NIMASA was chosen to lead the project in Nigeria, being the chosen country in the West and Central Africa region.  This pilot project will last a year. But the data will be reported to the Kenyan portal, then it goes to the IMO global portal after every voyage.  Reports will be collated and sent after a three-month period. The findings and analysis are then recorded and reported at the end of the year to inform the country the amount of fuel being consumed annually on each voyage and how much GHG is being emitted.”

The launch of the fuel consumption data collection device is in line with the decision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to reduce fuel consumption by vessels as well as Green House Gases (GHG) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission on voyages.  NIMASA was nominated to operate the project in Nigeria, which has become a focal point and so nominated as a country of interest in Africa for the pilot project. 

Representing Sea Transport Limited, owners of MT KINGIS, Musa Ado Ibn-Saidu expressed delight in being a part of the landmark installation initiative.  Ibn-Saidu said the crew of the vessel were keen to use the tablet. He thanked the NIMASA MEM team for the requisite training provided the crew members on the operation and usage of the installed Thorium-X tablet, stating that they are appreciative of the efforts the Agency is making to reduce GHG emissions and save the climate.

The NIMASA-nominated vessel for the programme is indigenously owned by an award winning company, Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited.  Nigeria was chosen for the launch of the pilot scheme for the West and Central Africa sub-regions.   

The tablet is equipped with inbuilt internet capability for ease of communication of data, and also a dedicated software to calculate Energy Efficiency Operation Index (EEOI) of voyaging vessels. The information that results from the findings will facilitate decisions in maritime policy formation as it relates to GHG emissions from ships and its effect on climate and environment.   

The Marine Environment Management unit of NIMASA has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure an environmentally safer and cleaner maritime domain. 

It would be recalled that about a month ago, the Agency announced its collaboration with the National Oil spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on marine oil spill incident management, which is also in line with IMO requirements. These initiatives collectively stand to give Nigeria added global recognition on issues of marine environment management and climate change.

RENEWABLE ENERGY: NIMASA PREPARING FOR NIGERIA BEYOND CRUDE OIL

RENEWABLE ENERGY: NIMASA PREPARING FOR NIGERIA BEYOND CRUDE OIL.- DAKUKU.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has emphasised its readiness to develop policies that will see to a smooth transition from the regime of intense wet cargo operations, which is the major source of income for the maritime sector in Nigeria, to the inevitable era of renewable energy which may see less activities in crude oil exploration and exploitation in the country.

The Director General of NIMASA Dr Dakuku Peterside stated this when delivering a paper at the Africa Regional Workshop  with the theme,  the effect of Global Energy Transformation at one of the side workshops during the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference, OTC in Houston Texas.

The NIMASA DG noted that though, the Maritime sector in Nigeria benefitted extensively from oil exploration and exploitation in Nigeria including limited technological and skill transfer, the time to see both opportunities and associated risk of the gradual shift towards renewable energy from fossil fuel for the maritime sector is now. He said that there may be no need for huge vessels, for intercontinental shipment of both crude and refined products in years to come, thus the need for a new logistics dynamics to bring about logistics diversification.

“We at NIMASA are working to create a new framework to maximize opportunities provided by renewable energy. So the world does not leave us behind. As a Maritime Administration we are taking conscious steps to put the necessary building blocks for an era of renewable energy when exploration and exploitation of oil and gas and all associated logistics will no longer play a major role. We propose policies to promote transition to clean and renewable energy. We have accepted the inevitability of renewable energy in years to come “ he said.

NIMASA DG, Dr Dakuku Peterside presenting plaques  Dr Ernest Nwapa while Chief Operating Officer, Upstream Of NNPC, Alh Bello Rabiu and Bank Anthony Okoroafor of PETAN looks on at the Offshore Technology Conference 2019 In HOUSTON TEXAS.

Dakuku further stated, there was the need for all African countries to invest in research so that the advent of renewable energy would not take the continent by surprise.

In his words “As government and a people, we must begin to invest in research. We must invest in quality tailor made education for a future without much income from fossil fuel and focused mainly on harnessing potentials of renewable energy which are abound in our country.”

He also disclosed that partnership with other Agencies of Government to undertake research and project into the immediate and long term future of the Maritime industry in Nigeria is part of NIMASA preparation for the future with less income from exploration and exploitation of the oil and gas sector. He noted that the need for Very Large Crude Carriers VLCCs amongst others would reduce, thus the need to guide investments in the Nigerian maritime sector.

According to him “ our partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to identify the types of vessels that Nigerian should acquire in order to guarantee good business and return on investment in the immediate and long term is part of our focus on the future. We are investing in research to determine the opportunities and threats that will come with the inevitable shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy”.

While making an energy demand forecast in Africa to increase by 60% in 2030, Dr Dakuku said Hydrocarbons will continue to play a role in the energy mix that will satisfy Africa’s growing energy needs adding that  the shift to renewable energy as source will also be significant by the year 2030. Dakuku urged African countries, particularly Governments in West and Sub-Sahara Africa to lay much Emphasis on technology driven process, research and education.

On his part, Chairman Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Bank-Anthony Okoroafor noted that the second energy revolution in the 70s, which saw petroleum energy becoming the major source of energy replacing Coal energy which had hitherto provided over 62% of world energy needs in the 1920’s should be an indication of what to expect as the world gravitate towards renewable energy.

“The cost of solar energy generation in 2015 has decreased to as low as one sixth the cost in 2005 and the cost is still crashing daily. With the mass production of electric cars, it is pertinent to note that in no distant future, the “petroleum age” will become a thing of the past just like coal”. He said.

Stakeholders from the oil and gas and Maritime industry across the world, particularly from West and Central Africa attended the regional workshop.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS INTEGRAL OF OUR SOCIETY- NIMASA DG

…Donates Relief Materials to Cross River Flood Victims.

In line with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disposition of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Agency under the leadership of Dr. Dakuku Peterside has restated that the internally displaced persons spread across Nigeria constitute an integral part of our society and the nation at large and therefore have to be catered for.

The Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Moronke Thomas (Middle), The Head, Corporate Communications, NIMASA, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi (2ndR), The NIMASA’s Calabar Port Services Controller, Capt. Adebayo Omotosho (R), The SA to the Governor/ Ag DG, Cross River State SEMA, Hon. Princewill Ayim (L), and Coordinator, Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons Mr. Okon Etim Effiom during the presentation of relief Materials to the IDPs by NIMASA, in Calabar. 

Dakuku stated this while presenting some relief materials to the Internally Displaced persons in Cross River State, as part of its nation-wide donation of diverse forms of relief materials to people displaced as a result of the 2018 flood disaster that submerged some parts of the State and some other states across the country, in continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Presenting the materials to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the DG, who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Data Services Department (PRDMS), Mrs. Moronke Thomas, told the beneficiaries that the Agency would always support the Federal Government’s drive in advancing gestures that impact lives positively and meaningfully in the country.

“NIMASA is a socially responsible citizen. Though our core mandates are principally to regulate and promote shipping as well as other associated maritime ventures in Nigeria, we are acutely aware, and also conscious of the plights of natural disaster victims like you. We are with you and we share your sufferings. We are here in realisation of the fact that an injury to you is an injury to us, and by extension, an injury to Nigeria. And so, NIMASA as a responsible corporate citizen will continue to support the Federal Government efforts in ameliorating your sufferings and challenges”, the DG said.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the IDPs in the State, the Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor who also doubles as the Ag DG, of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Princewil Ayim commended NIMASA, while noting that the State government was doing its best on their welfare and security. He thanked NIMASA for the gesture and called on other public-spirited institutions and individuals to emulate such magnanimity.

“We note and understand the circumstances of our people and we feel their pains. We perfectly know their needs and we are doing everything as a State to make life meaningful for them. We call on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate institutions to emulate NIMASA. We appreciate and commend them and it is our promise that this gesture has been received in the spirit in which it is given”, Mr. Ayim said.

Also speaking, the leader of the Bakassi IDP Camp, Mr. Etim Ene, thanked NIMASA for the items donated, adding that the Camp was still lacking basic amenities such as portable water and healthcare services.

Materials donated ranged from Mattresses, Garri, School Bags, Salt, Rice, Fishing Nets, Blanket, Tins of Powder Milk, beverages, Soap/ Detergents, Sugar, noodles, palm/vegetable oil, amongst others.

It is worthy of note that the Federal Government has consistently encouraged interested philanthropists and non-governmental organisations to partner with government in order to adequately cater for the needs of Nigerians who are affected by one form of disaster or another. It is in line with such encouragement that the Management of NIMASA embarked on provision of relief materials of diverse forms to the Internally Displaced Persons across 20 states of the federation throughout the Six Geo-political Zones.

FLOOD RELIEF: EMULATE NIMASA, EL-RUFAI URGES CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS

…We Share In Your Challenges-Dakuku Peterside

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has urged corporate organisations in Nigeria to emulate the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by supporting and complementing government’s efforts towards alleviating the suffering of persons affected by the recent floods and other natural disasters across the country.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El- Rufai (middle) in a handshake with the representative of the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh,  while receiving relief materials donated to flood victims in the state by the agency at Government House, Kaduna. Looking on are Director, Special Duties, NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka (left), and officials of the state government.

The governor made the call while receiving relief materials from the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at Government House, Kaduna, in continuation of the donation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country.

Speaking during the presentation of the materials at the Government House, El-Rufai said the donation came at the right time, noting that the plight of the IDPs has been challenging and of concern to the state and that the materials would be evenly distributed to the IDP camps across the state. The governor stated that the state government was doing its best to ensure the welfare and security of IDPs in the state.

“We note this NIMASA’s act of magnanimity. Kaduna State has a total number of over 11,000 internally displaced persons who are in different IDP camps spread all over the state and these materials came at the right time. There will be prudence, transparency and accountability in the management of the distribution of the donated items to the IDPs. This is a commendable act and we will continue to ensure the welfare and security of our people. And so, we call on other corporate institutions as well as individual philanthropists to emulate NIMASA,” the governor said.

On his part, Dakuku stated that the internally displaced persons across Nigeria were of utmost concern to government because they constituted an integral part of the society and should be catered for.

The DG, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stated that the gesture was in continuation of NIMASA’s nationwide donation of diverse forms of relief materials to states affected by natural disasters, particularly the recent flood disaster that submerged some parts of the country, including Kaduna State.

While presenting the materials to the governor, the DG noted that the Agency would vigorously pursue the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians and the economy as a whole.

“The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is here today in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility disposition. We are conscious of the situation of the internally displaced persons in the country, and so we are here with a message of hope. We are not here to lament, but to felicitate with you and at the same time encourage you to remain hopeful and steadfast in the face of this challenge. NIMASA, as a socially responsible institution, will continue to support efforts geared towards improving the lives of Nigerians to make them live meaningfully in our society," the DG said.

Materials donated ranged from mattresses, garri, school bags, salt, rice, fishing nets, blanket, tins of powdered milk, beverages, soap/ detergents, sugar, noodles, palm/vegetable oil, amongst others.

It is worthy of note that the Federal Government has consistently encouraged interested philanthropists and non-governmental organisations to partner with government in order to adequately cater for the needs of Nigerians who are affected by one form of disaster or another. It is in line with such encouragement that the Management of NIMASA embarked on the provision of relief materials of diverse forms to the Internally Displaced Persons across 20 states of the federation throughout the Six Geo-political Zones.