MARITIME: PRESIDENT WANTS MORE WOMEN PROFESSIONALS TO BOOST ECONOMY- AISHA BUHARI

·        Dakuku Calls on Men to Support Women Achieve Objective

·        Stakeholders Clamour for Gender Balance in Sector

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Buhari, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to provide platforms that will encourage more women’s participation in maritime to boost economic development. The President’s wife stated this on Tuesday in Lagos at an event to mark the 2019 Day of the Seafarer, with the theme, “On board with gender equality.”

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R-L: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Wife of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sabiu Zakari and NIMASA Board Chairman, General, Jonathan India Garba (Rtd.) during the 2019 celebration of the Day of the Seafarer held in Lagos.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) chose the theme, which resonates with its theme for this year’s World Maritime Day, to highlight the contributions of women in the maritime industry and encourage more women to go into the profession of sea transportation.  

Dr. Buhari said there was need to promote gender balancing in the seafaring career, adding that the President is aware of the economic benefits that come with encouraging the female gender in the maritime sector.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, spoke in a similar vein, saying the men should support women, especially in maritime, “towards reaching their potential and navigating work place challenges.”  This was just as President of the World Maritime University (WMU), Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, applauded Nigeria’s effort to encourage more female professionals in the maritime industry.

Wife of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo in a photograph with seafarers during the 2019 celebration of the Day of the Seafarer held in Lagos.

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, commended NIMASA’s efforts to promote and encourage women in the maritime sector. She noted that such was in line with the President’s aspirations for the sector.  

According to her, “Under the current leadership of NIMASA, we have seen significant strides aimed at making women active players in the blue economy industry. Mr. President is desirous of seeing more women play active role in the maritime industry. This celebration focusing on women seafarers is, therefore, apt.” 

She called on “all government agencies, especially those in the maritime sector, to ensure the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is aimed at attaining gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

The NIMASA DG, speaking further, called on men to provide the needed support for women to participate actively in the maritime sector. “We hope to sensitise the industry operators and players on the significance as well as economic importance of bridging gender inequality and the need for men to support women towards reaching their potential and navigating workplace challenges For us to have more women at sea and onshore, the men have a major role to play in terms of providing the needed support.”

He further added that the Agency will continue to pursue policies and programmes that will accelerate gender equality and empowerment of women in the maritime sector. “In addition to the 304 female cadets we have trained in seafaring since the inception of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), greater attention will now be given to the training of female seafarers in specialised courses and areas to enable them take up professional responsibilities in specialised vessels and offshore operations, and maritime sector generally,” Dakuku said.

On the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS) that suspends waivers on Cabotage manning, Dakuku disclosed that placement of women on board vessels will be given high priority, with greater attention also given to providing an enabling environment for female seafarers. He disclosed that the Agency had already recorded success through the NCCS initiative with about 7,000 Nigerians employed by ship-owners between 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. He said the Agency was doing everything in its powers to resolve the issue of armed robbery and piracy at sea. 

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari, said the Federal Government had initiated policy reviews aimed at promoting gender equality, empowering women in the maritime sector, and creating conducive work environment for them in line with the SDGs.

The WMU President, in his goodwill message to Nigeria on the occasion of the Day of Seafarers, said, “Nigeria is one of our long-standing partners that has provided funds for our fellowships and we want to encourage them to continue. Under the MoU with NIMASA, as well as the support provided by the Nigerian Ports Authority, today, we have 199 WMU alumni from Nigeria, of which 31 are women. About half of these Nigerian female graduates were funded by the government. The rest received funding from other sources and other WMU partners.”

The event was attended by many stakeholders, including Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Alhaji Hassan Bello; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, who was represented by NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies; Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Commodore Duja Effedua; Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Danjuma Dauda; and renowned maritime lawyer, Mr. Emeka Akabogu.  

Prominent Nigerian women in maritime also graced the occasion. They included Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NSC), Mrs. Obiageli Obi, and Chairperson, Nigerian Shipownwers Forum, Mrs. Margret Orakwusi, all of who called for more support for the female gender in the maritime career.

In attendance also were members of the NIMASA Governing Board, led by the Chairman, Gen. Jonathan India Garba, and members of the Executive Management.

The Day of the Seafarer is celebrated all over the world on June 25 every year following the resolution adopted by the 2010 diplomatic conference in Manila, Philippines, in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted “On Board with Gender Equality” as the main campaign theme to celebrate the 2019 Day of the Seafarer, which echoes IMO’s theme for the 2019 World Maritime Day, and coincides with the disposition of NIMASA as a gender-sensitive organisation.

It is expected that throughout 2019 there should be a strong emphasis in the maritime space on the importance and value of women within the professional ranks, a campaign driven and targeted at empowering women in the maritime community with the hope of having a strong and far-reaching resonance.

WOMEN FULCRUM OF MOST SUCCESSFUL WORLD ECONOMIES – NIMASA DG

·        Maritime Community Awaits Aisha Buhari

·        Agency Sensitises the Girl Child on Career in Maritime

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stated that women are central to the accomplishments and efficiency of most successful world economies. Dakuku stated this on Monday in Lagos at a sensitisation workshop for female students organised preparatory to this year’s Day of the Seafarer, an international event coming up on June 25.  He urged the girl child to develop career interest in the maritime sector.

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, will be leading other dignitaries and stakeholders in the maritime community to campaign and encourage more female participation in seafaring and maritime trade at the event scheduled for Tuesday in Lagos.

DG. NIMASA

Dakuku said NIMASA will intensify efforts to encourage ladies, particularly the girl child, to take advantage of the vast opportunities in the maritime industry.

The DG, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, emphasised the need to put proper structures in place in order to have a strong maritime sector, and a robust economy. He noted that the sensitisation of the girl child on career in maritime was an intervention programme of the Agency, stressing that “On Board with Gender Equality”, which is the theme for the 2019 Day of the Seafarer, coincides with the disposition of NIMASA as a gender-sensitive organisation.

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“It may look tough, but it is not insurmountable. The challenges are enormous, but it is our hope that the proactive, pragmatic and deliberate actions as well as the programmes of the Agency will yield positive result in the long run. We are ready and we will continue to align with global best practices in the management and running of the Nigerian maritime sector. Women are critical and we will work and encourage them,” the DG said. 

Dakuku observed that the problem of unemployment in the country could be tackled through the development of the maritime sector and NIMASA would work with relevant institutions and instruments of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to make the industry attractive, especially for women.

According to him, “To achieve our objective of ensuring a holistic and sustained participation of women in Nigerian maritime affairs, sensitising the girl child is important and making the industry attractive is also important.  As an Agency, we are prepared to support and partner relevant agents of development in Nigeria, including schools, which is the underlying motive of this sensitisation.

The DG reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to ensuring better working conditions for seafarers in line with the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work Agenda. He assured that the Agency will continue to give issues concerning seafarers, particularly women seafarers, top priority.

Inspirational career talks were delivered at the event by some women practitioners in the Nigerian maritime industry, including Miss Iwu Augustina Ogechukwu Sandra (Navigator), Mrs. Adebimpe Oluwadamilola (Chief Engineer), Miss Karen Ogidigben, and Miss Pauline Adula (Marine Engineer). They spoke on the benefits of female participation in the industry as well as the challenges.

Female students from many schools, including Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos, Victoria Island Girls Secondary Grammar School, Queens College, Yaba, Kuraimo Junior Secondary School, and New Era Girls Secondary School, were in attendance..

NIMASA has over the past few years embarked on the training and retraining of Nigerian seafarers and cadets in specialised maritime courses, both locally and internationally, with the aim of enhancing their competence and employability.

The Day of the Seafarer is an annual event marked globally following the resolution adopted by the 2010 diplomatic conference in Manila, Philippines, to adopt the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).

AISHA BUHARI LEADS OTHERS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN MARITIME

• As NIMASA, Maritime Stakeholders Host World Seafarers’ Day

• More Females Needed in Maritime Business – Dakuku

The First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, will be leading other dignitaries and stakeholders in the maritime community to campaign and encourage more female participation in seafaring and maritime trade as the country joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s Day of the Seafarer on June 25.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos during a chat with journalists, noting that her presence would further boost the ongoing campaign to encourage the participation of more females In seafaring and the maritime sector, in line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) campaign for this year to get more women into the hitherto male dominated profession.

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Dakuku regretted that very few females were in the profession of seafaring and said NIMASA was working with stakeholders to try to reverse “the great imbalance.” He said the presence of the President’s wife, who will be leading other prominent women in the maritime industry to the event scheduled to hold in Lagos, will be a boost to the efforts to attract more female involvement in the sector.

He noted that this year’s event, themed “On board with gender equality”, was geared towards encouraging more women to take advantage of opportunities in the maritime sector, particularly as seafarers; as Marine Engineers, Nautical Scientists, Marine Surveyors, Deck officers and even grow to become Master Mariners.

“Statistics available have shown that only 2% of the total seafarers across the world are females and more disappointing is the fact that majority of this percentage are from the Philippines a country which dominates the profession in huge numbers, raking in huge income / foreign exchange. So there is need for us to take conscious and deliberate actions to encourage women to take a career in seafaring,” Dakuku stated.

The NIMASA DG said this year’s Day of the Seafarer was unique, as it is focused on highlighting the fact that the seafaring profession is not a career solely preserved for men but one that can accommodate all genders. He also disclosed that there would be a one-day sensitisation workshop on Monday in Lagos for over 400 Nigerian female students from all over the country to showcase the benefits of taking a career in seafaring.

Speaking on what NIMASA is doing to encourage women to take a career in the profession, Dakuku stated that the Agency was planning a robust awareness programme that would continue to enlighten Nigerians on the seafaring profession. He said the Agency would also look into creating more avenues for Nigerian students through interventionist programmes and proper education.

IMO has raised concerns about the low level of participation by females in the seafaring profession and has, therefore, selected “empowering women in the maritime community” as this year’s theme for the World Maritime Day. The United Nation’s specialised organ advised member-states to key into the theme for various celebrations within the year. Hence, Nigeria’s focus on the subject of creating gender equality during the celebration of the 2019 Day of the Seafarer.

This year’s celebrations which is also co-hosted by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council Barr. Hassan Bello is also expected to have in attendance the wife of The Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, members of women international shipping and trading Association (WISTA), members of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA) other notable Associations that are expected to be part of the event include the various associations of shipowners in Nigeria, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ((MWUN) and other key players in the sector.

ECONOMIC GROWTH: NIMASA PUSHES 7000 NEW JOBS IN MARITIME

…Media Can Help Sell Nigeria’s Economic Potential - Dakuku

…Anti-piracy Bill Will Aid Maritime Development

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that the Agency had already keyed into the vision of the President by creating over 7000 jobs in the last six months through the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy and is set to do more, as there are vast opportunities in the maritime sector.

From Left, Executive Director (ED) , Maritime Labour &

Cabotage Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency
(NIMASA) Ahmed Gambo, Director General (DG), Dr Dakuku Peterside and
ED, Administration & Finance, Dr Bashir Jamoh, during a meeting 
with media executives, in Lagos, on Thursday.

Dakuku stated this on Thursday in Lagos while speaking with journalists on the activities of NIMASA. He said the Agency had come up with strategies that had ensured a steady rise in the number of jobs created through manning, crewing, stevedoring, and dockworkers engagement. This, he said, has positioned the maritime industry as one of the key sectors that will support the realisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement during his Democracy Day broadcast of bringing 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, as maritime possesses a vast opportunity for our economic growth.

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According to the NIMASA DG, the implementation of a five-year plan for the cessation of waiver has encouraged the employment of more Nigerians by vessel owners. He said the effect of the new Cabotage regime was still yielding positive results, as more Nigerians are set to be engaged in various sub-sectors of the maritime industry due to the discouragement of the dominance of the sector by foreigners.

“We have always known that the political will to deal with the issue of waivers in the Cabotage regime had been the challenge in the past. Our pronouncement and implementation of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy has led to the engagement of over 7000 Nigerians in various sub-sectors within the industry. This has also resulted in 32% increase in vessels operating under the Cabotage regime in the first two quarters of 2019,” he said.

Detailing the achievements of NIMASA, Dakuku said that the Agency had inspected and surveyed over 600 vessels calling at Nigerian ports, an unprecedented feat, which he said showed that Nigeria was alive to its port state and flag state responsibilities. He said the increased inspection and survey had ensured that sub-standard vessels no longer call at Nigerian ports, which has also improved safety on Nigerian waters.

The DG also pointed out that in line with the Ease of Doing Business initiative of the President Buhari administration, it now takes less than 24 hours to issue sailing clearance to vessels that call at Nigerian ports, from about seven days at the time the current management of NIMASA came on board. He noted that this had greatly improved vessel turnaround time and made Nigerian ports more attractive.

Dakuku said the Agency was taking strategic steps to deal with the issue of piracy, disclosing that the Antipiracy bill sponsored by NIMASA has been passed by the National Assembly and as soon as it gets the required Executive assent, it will help tame the piracy monster and open up more opportunities in the sector. He stated that though the steps taken were challenging, the Agency was committed to ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment to promote participation in maritime business.

He said, “The issue of maritime crime has been challenging, not only to us as a nation but also the entire Gulf of Guinea. To achieve the objective of a safe and secure maritime environment that will guarantee the realisation of the President’s pronouncement, commitment is critical and we at NIMASAhave decided to take the challenge head-on with the various strategies formulated at the Agency’s level to drive the process.”

To this, he noted that the world will be coming to Nigeria in October to brainstorm on ways of collectively tackling the menace of maritime insecurity. This is with a view to advance the growth and development of the sector to the benefit of the country and Africa at large, with NIMASA championing the initiative.

Dakuku equally charged the local media to be sensitive to issues of national interest and push out facts that will help position the country properly before the world, and cross-check what goes out to the public domain. This, he said, is because the Nigerian media, as the third estate of the realm, is an enabler that foreign and local mediums rely on for information on Nigeria, which shapes their decisions on international politics and economic investments with regard to the country. Their further exposure of the vast economic opportunities in Nigeria, both in the maritime sector and the entire economic spectrum, will help support Government’s efforts to attract investments to develop the country, he stated.

NIGERIA COMMITTED TO LEADING WAR AGAINST MARITIME CRIME IN AFRICA”

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• TACKLING GULF OF GUINEA CRISIS IS OUR CALL – DAKUKU

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has declared Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to its leadership role in the war on piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea region, an area widely considered the global challenging maritime crime base in Africa.

DG NIMASA

Dakuku made the declaration in a keynote address he delivered at a symposium on Security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London.

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The meeting was jointly organised by IMO, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and the International Chamber of Shipping. It had in attendance MDs and CEO’s of top multinational shipping, oil and gas, and logistics firms.

Dakuku said the GoG countries were facing serious security challenges that had affected their economies severely and, therefore, needed global support and cooperation to tackle the problem.

He, however, said the location of the Gulf of Guinea held enormous advantages, as it holds a significant percentage of the world’s total oil and gas reserves as well as rich deposits of solid minerals, such as diamond, bitumen, copper, uranium, granite, quartz, lead, fluorite, and marble.

Already, Nigeria has committed to the hosting of a Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC), which comes up in the country’s capital, Abuja, from October 7 to 9.

Dakuku stated that the conference will afford the international community a platform to develop actionable strategies to put an end to piracy and other security threats in the African geological and maritime region.

The NIMASA DG, who is also Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), noted that the Gulf of Guinea occupied a strategic location in international seaborne trade. It is home to two regional economic blocs: Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), comprising 26 countries.

“It is, therefore, seen as a resource provider and critical contributor to national growth and prosperity of the nations lining its coasts and even those inward and with no shared boundaries, due to the access it grants to them,” he said.

He disclosed that the region’s waterways were a key navigational route for international commerce, connecting the Far East to countries in the North and South of the Atlantic. “It is the hub of extensive Trans-Atlantic trade linking Africa with Europe and the Americas,” he said.

Dakuku highlighted factors that made Nigeria strategic in the fight against maritime crimes in the GoG region to include being the country with the highest military contingent and might within the region, and a huge deposit of oil and gas, which makes it a place of interest in international energy dynamics. Others are the geo-strategic location of Nigeria, and the country’s big deltas, which are the largest in the world, with thousands of creeks.

The NIMASA DG said being the biggest economy and most populous country within the region, accounting for over 65 per cent of cargo generated in the area, Nigeria occupied a vantage position to lead efforts to solve the maritime security challenges in the region.

While acknowledging that maritime insecurity had economic, social and environmental implications for the region, Dakuku told the international community that Nigeria was leaving no stone unturned in the attempt to overcome the challenges.

He said it was this determination that led to the decision to approach the menace through a total spectrum maritime strategy. The strategy involves law enforcement, regional cooperation, response capability building, and enhanced maritime domain awareness for all organs of government involved in maritime security.

The DG declared that with the new initiatives, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the GoG region could become history in a matter of months.

Highlighting the importance of regional and international cooperation in the fight against maritime crime, Dakuku stated, “We have no option but to work together, but we cannot have imposed solutions…

“NIMASA will also be hosting a Global Maritime Security Conference in October to seek tailored short and long term solutions to strengthen regional and international collaborations in the Gulf of Guinea.”

He noted that the implementation of an integrated national surveillance and waterways protection solution with command and control infrastructure in the Agency was part of the Nigerian government’s deep blue contract to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Dakuku said it was Nigeria’s interventions that led to the establishment of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Security Strategy (EIMS) and Inter-Regional Coordination Centre (ICC) in Yaoundé. He also disclosed that Nigeria played a leading role in the establishment of the African Integrated Maritime Security (AIMS).

At the operational level, Dakuku stated that NIMASA, through collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in 2012-2013, established “Operation Prosperity”, a security taskforce, among others, which had helped to reduce criminal activities in the region. Other initiatives include the establishment of a legal framework to fight maritime crimes through an anti-piracy bill. “The bill, when signed into law, will bring to bear appropriate sanctions on offenders and deter perpetrators of maritime crimes,” he assured.

Nigeria will be hosting the global maritime security summit, themed “Maritime Security and Global Trade Facilitation,” as part of its commitment, along with its partners, to stamping out piracy in the region.

Thanking the international bodies and other regional partners for their efforts to tackle maritime insecurity, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, Dakuku called for more support in the fight against piracy and maritime crimes.

NIMASA is the Nigerian Government Agency responsible for ensuring safety and security on the country’s waterways, among other mandates as enshrined in the NIMASA Act, 2007.

OUR OCEAN RICH ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMY, NIMASA DG

…As World Marks World Oceans Day

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has stated that the nation’s ocean’s resources are rich enough to sustain the economy of Nigeria as most countries with maritime based economy.

DG NIMASA

Dakuku who spoke today June 8th to commemorate the Word Ocean day also charged stakeholders on the need to celebrate the ocean, its importance in the lives of our nation, and on how economic diversification can be achieved for sustainable growth and development.

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The NIMASA DG noted that, like the cyber world which has reduced the real world to a global village, the ocean is global and connects people worldwide, thus inspiring continuing action year-round to protect and restore this amazing resource that we all depend on.

Like most great maritime nations, he pointed out that the “time has come for all hands to be on deck and support the Federal Government’s efforts in taping into the blue economy and develop it to such a level that it can contribute far more greatly as projected”.

Dakuku further observed that nations like Singapore, Philippines and Malta along with the world great economies like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and China amongst others strive greatly on their oceans as the bedrock of their economy, and with about 90 percent of world trade being done by sea and shipping, it is time Nigeria begins to join the league of such great countries by engaging its waters more profitably.

“The World Oceans Day celebration inspires the thinking that recognizes that there is one global ocean that connects the entire world. Within this one ocean, there are five distinct oceans: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. And it is already happening that the boundaries of these oceans are invincible and so it is important that we take steps to ensure that we tap the abundant resources inherent within our maritime endowment because our lives as a nation depends hugely on it”, the DG said.

While stating that the issue of climate change and marine environment degradation is of concern to the nation and international community, he assured that NIMASA on its part will continue to lend its voice in support of the advocacy and drive, which will further guarantee and compliment government’s ease of doing business initiative.

Dr. Peterside reiterated that the Agency is open to all forms of partnerships that can help the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector, in line with the economic diversification agenda of government. 

World Oceans Day takes place on June 8 every year. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the first World Oceans Day in 1992, the objectives were to move the oceans from the side-lines to the center of the inter-governmental and NGO discussions and policy and to strengthen the voice of ocean and coastal constituencies worldwide.

Since 2002, there has been a concerted effort to promote World Oceans Day as a unique opportunity to celebrate the ocean, our connections, and make a real difference

NATIONAL FLEET WILL HELP NIGERIANS LIFT CRUDE - DAKUKU

• To End Capital Flight and Retain Dollars in Nigeria

Nigerians will be able to lift its country’s crude oil for export immediately the national fleet comes into operation, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has said.  

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Dakuku,  who was speaking at a media breakfast meeting on the sideline of the ongoing Nor-Shipping Conference  and Exhibition in Oslo, Norway, said such an outcome will end the capital flight, associated with the present arrangement where Nigeria sells its oil on free on board basis to customers.

DG. NIMASA

The NIMASA DG said the new national fleet will be owned 49 per cent by a technical partner and the balance of 51 per cent by Nigerian investors. According to the plan, the Nigerian investors will hold equity in lots, so there will be no domineering shareholder.  

The national fleet is part of the country’s new strategic direction on the blue economy, which is designed to tap its maritime potentials. He invited local and foreign investors who are interested in the project to partner with the country.

The opportunity in crude freight is just one of the many potentials in the sector. He said the country is also taking its maritime security serious and has invested in the acquisition of security assets to boost the policing of its waters. 

These assets include patrol boats, helicopter, unmanned air vessels and naval ships. He noted that the assets, acquired under the ‘Deep Blue Project’, which he calls a homeland security solution, will be operational by September this year.

Dr Dakuku Peterside called on investors to tap into the rich potentials of the maritime sector in Nigeria saying the government has incentivised the sector with offers of tax holidays and institutional support.

Nigeria, he reminded his audience is an investment friendly environment with comprehensive maritime security, a robust financial sector and seven port complexes. The country accounts for 70 per cent of seaborne trade into West Africa and is endowed with a skilled workforce and the world’s ninth largest hydrocarbon deposits.

OCEAN ECONOMY: DAKUKU CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

…UN Welcomes Initiative, Set to Inspire Opportunities

Chairman of Association of African Maritime administrations (AAMA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has called on developed nations and corporate bodies to support Africa and other developing nations to build capacity and regulatory enforcement needed to maximize benefits of ocean economy.

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Dakuku who made the call in Oslo, Norway at the commencement of the world renowned Nor Shipping Conference & Exhibition, holding June 4th - 7th, 2019, noted that Ocean industries will be contributing to Sustainable development goals  only when both developing and developed nations benefit in a sustainable manner.

L - R: Mr Sheindu Juvenal of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), with Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman of Association of African Maritime administrations (AAMA) / Director General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bjorn K. Haugland,   Dey Norse Veritas - Germanische Lloyd’s (DNV GL) Group, Chief Sustainability Officer and the CEO of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Ms Lise Kingo, at the ongoing Nor Shipping Conference and Exhibition in Oslo, Norway, June 4, 2019

The High level ocean leadership meeting which was organized by United Nations Global Compact and the Norwegian government at the residence of the Prime Minister of Norway, as part of activities to mark the 2019 edition of “NOR SHIPPING” engagements had in attendance the Minister of trade of Norway Mr Torbjorn Roe  Isaksen , CEO of UN Global compact Ms Lise Kingo, Secretary General of International Maritime Organization Mr KiTack  Lim, Secretary General of International Seabed Authority Mr Micheal Lodge, Vice President of Seychelles and CEO of several Multinational organizations. 

Dr Dakuku Peterside who is also the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) further pointed out that 38 of Africa’s 54 nations are either coastal or island states and therefore are faced with the same challenges as other coastal states globally, such as pollution, climate change, poor ocean governance , overfishing, insecurity and marine litter amongst others.

He particularly advocated that developing and small island states need partnerships in two principal areas of building up their regulatory enforcement capacity and developing amongst them the skills and technology needed to tap into the ocean economy in a sustainable manner.

The AAMA President challenged the private sector companies in offshore exploration and other ocean economic activities to apply the same operating and environmental standards across the globe and not have two different standards, one for developed nations and another for developing nations.

He pointed out that “applying the same standards will ensure no one is left behind in our collective quest for clean and sustainable ocean that support economic prosperity. Responsible ocean governance and economic opportunities are not mutually exclusive but complementary”.

The forum discussed the highlights of Global goals; ocean opportunities which is a report of the UN GLOBAL COMPACT as well as the UN  Global compact sustainable ocean principles that will be unveiled in September this year at New York.

Also speaking, Ms Kingo said UN GLOBAL COMPACT has a specific mandate to work with and inspire companies of all sizes and from all regions and industries to act responsibly and find opportunities to advance sustainable development.

She said her organization is encouraged that so many businesses around the world are taking an interest in ocean sustainability work.

Dakuku Challenges Media on Constructive Reporting

·        Bags Maritime Industry Living Legends Award

The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has advised the media in Nigeria to concentrate their effort and attention on productive reporting aimed at spurring positive action in the country, especially in the maritime sector. Dakuku stated this in Lagos at an awards ceremony organised by Maritime Media Limited, where he bagged Nigeria’s Maritime Industry Living Legends Award. The award was for his outstanding performance and contributions in the maritime sector.

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Publisher, Shipping World, Elder Asu Beks with the Director-General,Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, (right) at the second edition of the Nigeria’s Maritime Industry Living Legends Awards held in Lagos.

Thanking the management of Maritime Media Limited for the recognition, Dakuku said the media, as a major stakeholder in the maritime industry, should make reports meant to keep the Agency and other players in the sector on their toes, their main emphasis.

“There is great transformation going on in the maritime industry and we can achieve more when all the stakeholders are put on their toes by the media; more can be achieved through constructive criticism,”Dakuku stated.

He said NIMASA would continue to leverage its key resources, including existing structures and stakeholders’ support, to push back the frontiers of transformation.   

The Managing Director of Maritime Media Limited, Elder Asu Beks, said the NIMASA DG deserved the honour bestowed on him because of the transformational initiatives he had brought to the Agency since his assumption of office.  

The Pere of Akugbene Mein Kingdom, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Pere P. Luke, Kalanama VIII, while presenting the award, said, “The recognition is as a result of the track record of positive impact made by the Agency and its leadership in the industry that has distinguished them from others.”

Other awardees from the Agency are the Chairman, NIMASA Board of Directors, Maj. Gen. Jonathan India Garba (Rtd); Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed; Director Internal Audit, Mr. Victor Onuzuruike; and Director, Special Duties, Hajia Lami Tumaka.

The event, which was the season 2 of the awards night, was well attended by maritime stakeholders.