CIOTA: AMAECHI, FASHOLA, SIRIKA, 36 STATES COMMISSIONERS BRAINSTORM WITH STAKEHOLDERS

…Collaborations Key To Solving Transport Challenges- Jamoh

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, will be leading the pack of Guests of Honours and 36 State Commissioners to the 2019 National Transport Summit, to meet with other stakeholders to brainstorm on ways to move the nation’s transport sector and the economy forward.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, President of the Charted Institute Of Transport Administration (CIOTA), noted that the Forthcoming Nationa Transport Summit, billed for Abuja, Nigeria, in December 3rd - 5th, 2019, is part of efforts to advance the transportation system in Nigeria. 

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CIoTA hopes to utilize the conference to bring the Federal and State Governments and other major stakeholders together, to push for the required policies to enable seamless integration of the modes of transportation in the country, to ease the challenges at hand and move the nation’s economy forward.

L - R: Dr. Bashir Jamoh, President of the Charted Institute Of Transport Administration (CIOTA), with Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, Chairman, Media / Publicity Sub Committee, at a Presss Conference in Lagos at the weekend, on the Forthcoming Nationa Transport Summit, billed for Abuja, Nigeria, in December 3rd - 5th, 2019.

While stating the aim of the upcoming conference Dr. Jamoh called for synergy among relevant bodies, saying collaboration is the only way the country’s transportation system can be effectively developed.  He also assured that the body will constantly offer professional advice to government on issues relating to transportation and its development, towards building a better economy for the country.

The Chairman, Presidential Economic Council, Dr. Doyin Salami would lead a rich delegation of speakers at the event, ranging from transport operators,  regulators and the academia at the event to be held at the Musa Yar’adua Conference Centre in Central Area Abuja, on the Theme; “Unlocking The Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development”.

The summit, would further seek to address the numerous transport sector woes in the country via innovation and global best practices.

Speaking further on the event, the President of CIoTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who is also Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), added that the summit would equally create an avenue to address the silo nature of the modes of transportation in the country, which have not been beneficial to trade and supply chain.

He said, “During the summit, CIoTA will be addressing a key issue of how best we can get the needed value in the supply chain, because trade is only complete when goods can get to their final destination in efficient manner.

“We can see that the challenge has been the non-integrated approach of the various transportation modes, making it difficult for movement of goods from the ports to various locations. We shall be looking at solutions that would integrate the road, rail, air, and water transport systems. We are looking to push for policies to uphold seamless integration of the transport modes to support trade, in terms of easy movement of cargo across locations.”

Speaking further, Jamoh said, “One good way to go in seeking solution to the perennial gridlock in the port city of Apapa, Lagos, is to turn to the railway and barges for the movement of containers, rather than remain stuck with road transportation alone. The issue of using rail tracks to move cargo from the ports will be paramount in terms of policy, advisory, human capacity, and skill acquisition for our own members, who are in different agencies in the maritime industry.”

The CIoTA President emphasised the need for the expansion of the ports, saying the present Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports have lost spaces, where containers would have been, to concessionaires, who are in charge of the terminals.

The summit would also feature technical sessions, and panel discussions to cover a wide range of topics on the nation’s transport challenges and possible solutions.

Other speakers expected at the summit include Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman; the Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello, as well as retired Merchant Navy Captain, Emmanuel Iheanacho, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Engr. Fidet Okhiria, Prof. Innocent Ogwude and Chris Asoluka, Chairman Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

CIoTA to Push Policy Advancing Integration of Transportation Modes

·        As Summit Holds December 3

·        Salami, Asoluka Others set to speak

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) will make the push for policy to enable seamless integration of the different modes of transportation in the country a focal point at its 2019 National Transport Summit.

This is as the Chairman Presidential Economic Council Dr. Doyin Salami is set to lead other speakers at the event. The President of  CIoTA.Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the focus of the event was to help improve cargo movement from the ports to final destinations.

The summit, themed, “Unlocking the Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development,” will hold December 3 – 5 at the Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre in Abuja.

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Jamoh, who is also Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the summit would create an avenue to address the silo nature of the modes of transportation in the country, which have not been beneficial to the trade supply chain.

He said, “During the summit, CIoTA will be addressing a key issue of how best we can get the needed value in the supply chain, because trade is only complete when goods can get to their final destination in efficient manner.

“We can see that the challenge has been the non-integrated approach of the various transportation modes, making it difficult for movement of goods from the ports to various locations.

“We shall be looking at solutions that would integrate the road, rail, air, and water transport systems. We are looking to push for policy to uphold seamless integration of the transport modes to support trade, in terms of easy movement of cargo across locations.”

Jamoh added, “One good way to go in seeking solution to the perennial gridlock in the port city of Apapa, Lagos, is to turn to the railway and barges for the movement of containers, rather than remain stuck with road transportation alone.

“The issue of when we have to be using rail trucks to move cargo from the ports outside will be paramount in terms of policy, advisory, human capacity, and skill acquisition for our own members, who are in different agencies in the maritime industry.”

The CIoTA president emphasised the need for the expansion of the ports, saying the present Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports have lost spaces, where containers would have been, to concessionaires, who are in charge of the terminals.

Paper deliveries, technical sessions, and panel discussions at the summit will cover a wide range of topics on the transport challenge.

Dignitaries expected at the summit, which has President Muhammadu Buhari as Special Guest of Honour, include Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, who are Guests of Honour.

Also expected to speak is the Chairman Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Dr. Doyin Salam, other Speakers include Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman; as well as  retired Merchant Navy Captain, Emmanuel Iheanacho , The Managing Director Nigerian Railway  Corporation , Engr. Fidet Okhiria, Prof. Innocent Ogwude and Chris Asoluka, Chairman Onne Oil and Gass Free Zone.

Maritime Asset Financing: Single Digit Facility Imminent – Dakuku

* As Bank Of Industry Promises More Support To Sector

 After a long and hard struggle by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for a single digit interest facility in aid of operators in the country’s maritime industry, the Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, says he can see light at the end of the tunnel. The indication emerged on Wednesday, when the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Olukayode Pitan, paid a courtesy visit to NIMASA at the Agency’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

From left: Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service of NIMASA, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, The Managing Director Bank of Industry (BOI) Mr. Olukayode Pitan, The Director General NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, The General Manager Enterprises (BOI)Mr, Leonard Kange, DGM Oil and Gas of BOI Mrs Ebehi Ehi-Omoike and the Head Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Mr. Victor Egejuru when the leadership of BOI paid a courtesy visit to NIMASA recently

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The credit facility is meant to help in the procurement of maritime assets to put operators in a position to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.

Dakuku, who received the BOI delegation, said the meeting with NIMASA was a follow up to the Agency’s efforts to ensure that Nigerian players are competitive in the global maritime arena.

He said, “We have continuously sought partnerships that would grow our industry. We know that maritime asset financing is one of the major challenges of this industry and we are tackling it head-on. In no distant future our people would be able to reap the benefits of our strategy.”

Speaking during the visit, Pitan commended the NIMASA management led by Dakuku for its various transformative initiatives in the maritime sector. He said the initiatives had brought renewed confidence in the maritime industry and BOI was ready to partner with NIMASA because the viability of the sector would rub off on the entire economy.

The BOI managing director disclosed that it had an existing financing model in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which could also benefit the maritime sector if applied.

He stated, “We are proposing a partnership with NIMASA on vessel financing. We already have a similar partnership with NCDMB that is currently running at a single digit of 8%, with little or zero risk for NCDMB since the fund invested by NCDMB is guaranteed by BOI. This model, we think, can also benefit NIMASA and the entire maritime sector.”

At the end of the meeting, NIMASA and BOI agreed, among other things, to work out modalities on financing the acquisition of vessels at a single digit interest rate; provision of guarantee for the funds that NIMASA will entrust to BOI; and management of the portfolio to guarantee effectiveness.

It would be recalled that the management of NIMASA under Dakuku has consistently advocated a single digit interest rate on borrowings to assist in the acquisition of maritime assets.

NIMASA MOVES TO INSPIRE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

·      Donates Learning Materials to Schools in South-South, South-East

·      Our CSR Aims to Stimulate Development – Dakuku

In a gesture of goodwill intended to motivate quality education, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has donated educational materials to schools in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones. The gesture is part of the Agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Pix 1: Representatives of Modebe Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State, led by Engr Ebere Anosike, receiving laptops and other educational materials from Head, Planning, Research, and Data Management Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Ronke Thomas, who represented the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, during the distribution of learning materials to schools in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones, in Port Harcourt.

Schools in Imo, Rivers, Anambra, and Abia states benefited from the materials, which included desktop computers, laptops, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system, white boards, exercise books, pens, pencils, white board pens, scientific calculators, and textbooks for English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics.  

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Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the donations were in line with the Agency’s CSR mission to encourage educational excellence and stimulate national development.

Dakuku, who was represented by the Head, Planning, Research, and Data Management Services, NIMASA, Mrs. Ronke Thomas, stated, “We are making these donations to encourage learning and excellence in our education system, which will ultimately inspire development.

“We also intend to encourage students to build a career in maritime and help to drive the on-going efforts to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.

“Though a few schools have been selected for this educational support exercise, which is being conducted simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones of the country, more schools will be benefitting from this gesture in the near future.”

The benefiting schools were Okrika Grammar School, Okrika; Community Secondary School, Opobo; RoyalCourt School, Rumuekini; Community Secondary School, Ubima; Umuariam Secondary Technical School, Umuariam; Abayi Girls Secondary School; and Modebe Secondary School, Onitsha. 

Thanking NIMASA for the kind gesture, a traditional ruler in Imo State, His Royal Highness, Eze Adison Nwaigwe, the Eze Ohachoro III of Umuariam, said, “NIMASA’s choice of these public schools for this donation is symbolic and strategic. Education can make a lot of difference between the poor and the rich. If you commit yourself to quality study, you can get to the top, irrespective of your background.”

The traditional ruler, who was represented by Engr. Ebere Anosike, urged the communities hosting the benefiting schools to support the government and the schools to secure the learning materials.

In his vote of thanks, the Director, Eastern Zone, NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, praised the students’ enthusiasm in learning, saying, “We expect that this modest action of ours performed to convey our love for quality education will help to sustain and, indeed, increase the zeal of the students in education. And we urge the authorities of the recipient schools to ensure that the items are put to judicious use.” 

EDUCATION NEEDS EVERYONE’S SUPPORT TO DEVELOP NIGERIA - DAKUKU

• As NIMASA Donates Educational Materials Across Zones

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has called on well meaning Nigerians and Corporate Organisations to support education at all levels in the country, as education is the major panacea for the growth and development of a country like Nigeria. 

From L-R Mr. Abdul Madaka Aliyu, Principal, Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna Niger State; Mr. Hadisu  Musa, Principal, Government Community Day Secondary School, Akko, Gombe State; Mr. Gambo Ahmed, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services and Mr. Hassan Garba Maro, Principal, Government Secondary School, Bashar, Wuse Plateau State during the presentation of Educational Materials to  Schools in North Central by NIMASA in Abuja recently.

Speaking in Abuja recently as NIMASA continued its donation of educational learning materials to schools across the country, in line with her robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Dakuku noted that it is in that spirit that the Agency is making its own contribution for the good of the sector.

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At the handing over ceremony which took place at the Agency's Zonal office in Abuja, the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed at the handover event stated that the Agency is committed to building capacity not only in the maritime sector but every sector that would be of benefit to the economy.

He said the Agency feels the  gesture would further encourage students in their learning activities especially as they strive to achieve excellence.

''It is expected that this will further inspire students to greater heights, an excellence that may possibly help build a career in the maritime sector that could help unlock the vast potentials in the nation's blue economy''. 

The Agency had taken the gesture to the northern zone where some items including latest ICT tools were donated to schools in the North Central and North East Zones.

Gambo further disclosed that the donation is being done simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones of the country; in the North East, North West and North Central. Also, the South West, South East and South South.

Some of the schools who received the donated materials include Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, Government Secondary School, Wase LGA, Plateau State and Government Secondary School, Kashare, Akko LGA, Gombe State. 

Other schools in the region are scheduled to receive their share of the educational materials in the following days.

Some of the distributed items include, desktop computers, laptop computers, UPS systems, white boards, exercise books, scientific calculators, textbooks amongst others.

EDUCATION BIGGEST INSTRUMENT FOR ERADICATING POVERTY- NIMASA DG

 … As NIMASA Donates Educational Materials To Schools

The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that education is the only way through which poverty can be eradicated in the country.

Speaking recently in Kaduna where NIMASAdonated some educational materials to some schools in the northern zone, Dr. Dakuku pointed out that the gesture is in the Agency's determination to support the Federal Government’s quest to improve on the quality of education in the country. 

Executive Director finance and Administration NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh and Isah sani Director science, Technical and vocational education ministry of Education Katsina  exchanginging pleasantries as he received the items the items donated to Government college, Pilot Katsina, Katsina state by NIMASA.

He noted that it was also in continuation of the CSR programmes initiated by the Agency following the initial intervention for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in twenty states of the federation. 

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In his words, “in June this year we were in kaduna to donate relief materials for Internally Displaced Persons but this time we are here to donate educational materials to schools in the North west Zone which include Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states and very soon similar gesture would be extended to other states of the federation in pursuance of a better education and upgrading the educational standard in the various states”.

Presenting the items to the representatives of the selected schools, the DG, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, of NIMASA  Dr.Bashir Jamoh, told the beneficiaries  that the Agency would vigorously pursue for the improvement of educational institutions in the country to prepare our young students for a better future.  He further said this intervention by the Agency was in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive for government organizations to support its drive towards the enhancement of our educational institutions. He therefore called on other corporate bodies to support this worthy cause as the federal government cannot do it alone. 

The DG also said, “NIMASA is a socially responsible citizen. Though our core mandates are principally to regulate and promote shipping activities in Nigeria, we are acutely aware, and also conscious of the plights of Nigerians and those who are in need and do not have the resources to cater for themselves. In view of this the agency decided to donate these items to improve on the desired goal of government to upgrade the quality of education in our institutions. To this end the Agency is carrying out this activity to complement the efforts of government towards increasing the quality of education in the zone”. 

 While receiving the materials at the venue of the event, Isa Sani the Director Science, Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, Katsina State who represented Dikko Collage Pilot Katsina a beneficiary spoke on behalf of other school representatives said they were overwhelmingly happy to the Agency for the magnanimity for the various educational materials donated to them. He promised that these teaching enhancing tools would be well deployed for the benefit of the students and the schools at large.  

“This gesture will not be forgotten in a hurry and I urge other agencies to follow the footsteps of NIMASA by lending a hand of fellowship in this regard.  We appreciate and commend NIMASA for this kind intervention and appeal to other organisations to do likewise” he said.

He further called on all the beneficiaries to ensure the students were properly taught and encourage them to show interest in the maritime sector as this would give them the opportunity to understand the functions and activities of NIMASA. He stressed that the maritime sector is full of opportunities and should not be left unexplored. The educational materials donated include desktop computers, laptops, text books, white boards, scientific calculators, note books, writing materials amongst several others.

It is worthy of note that the Federal Government has consistently encouraged philanthropists and non-governmental organisations to partner with government in order to improve funding and quality of education in Nigeria. It is in line with such that the Management of NIMASA embarked on the provision of the educational materials.  The schools that benefited include  Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman Collage, Daura, Katsna State, Dikko Collage Pilot katsina, Government Girls Secondary School, Bakura, Zamfara State and Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Gayan Zaria, Kaduna State. 

MARITIME TRADE: INTERCONTINENTAL COLLABORATION WILL ENGENDER GROWTH FOR AFRICA-DAKUKU

…AS AAMA BAGS GLOBAL AWARD

The Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that intercontinental collaboration is essential to the growth of maritime in Africa.

This was as AAMA was recognised by the Seatrade Maritime Awards organisers as an outstanding association driving the growth of maritime on the African Continent.

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Speaking while receiving the award, Dr. Dakuku said AAMA views intercontinental partnership as the only way forward for global maritime especially in Africa.

L - R) Jens O. Floe, Chief Executive Officer, Red Sea Gateway Terminal, Nneka O. Obianyor, Nigeria’s Registrar of Ships, Emmanuel Alfred, Special Assistant to the Director-General/CEO, NIMASA, Angela Safo-Kantanka, Deputy Director, Ghana Maritime authority and Bob Jaques, Editor, Seatrade Maritime Review

“Our role is to place Africa on the platform it belongs  in terms of growth of the entire maritime sector of the continent. As the biggest Island of all the continents we need to collaborate more to reap the benefits inherent in the African Maritime Sector”

Dr. Dakuku who was represented by Nigeria’s Registrar of Ships, Mrs Nneka Obianyor further commended the organisers for the Award adding that this would spur the association to continue to do more as it plays its advisory role that would facilitate collaborations to grow maritime in Africa.

 “we are ready to partner with anyone to grow maritime in Africa because maritime is one of the options we have for the growth and development of our continent and that is why we are calling on the world to partner with us because there are a lot of investment opportunities in the African Maritime sector”.

Meanwhile, the Organisers under the patronage of H.E Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayman, Chairman of Dubai Maritime City Authority used the award presentation medium to extol the AAMA Chairman Dr. Dakuku Peterside and his team for championing purposeful leadership within the African maritime sector.

“ This Award recognises organisations that have made significant impact and AAMA was chosen based on what the body is doing to grow maritime on the continent of Africa. We also recognised the impact of AAMA on the development of the supply chain, growth of business and her role in stimulating infrastructural growth in Africa”.

The Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) is the coordinating body for 38 Maritime Administrations in Africa established pursuant to article 5 of the African Maritime Transport Charter (AMTC).

The Body developed the African Maritime Regulatory Country Performance review on self-assessment of implementation of obligations and responsibilities under the International Maritime Organization Procedures and Practices.

NIGERIA TO MAINSTREAM MARITIME SECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – AMAECHI

·      Better Understanding of Maritime Transportation Will Facilitate Economic Growth – Dakuku

·      IMO Reiterates Commitment to Assisting Member States on UN 2030 SDG Agenda

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria will ensure the maritime sector gets into the mainstream of economic strategy as it will engender economic growth and prosperity.

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L–R: Mr. Juvenal Shiundu, Director, Technical Cooperation Division, International Maritime Organisation (IMO); Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Carlos Salgado, Head, Latin America & The Caribbean Section, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO, and Mr. Honorat Hoba, IMO Regional Coordinator, West and Central Africa (Francophone) at the opening of a two-day Regional Workshop on UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework: A process to mainstream the maritime sector organised by NIMASA in conjunction IMO and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Lagos.

The Minister who affirmed this in his keynote address at the opening of a two-day Regional Workshop on UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework: A process to mainstream the maritime sector organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Lagos said that the Maritime Transport Plan and Strategy when fully completed will also provide a robust enabling framework for achieving Nigerian maritime objective and foster Public, Private sector collaboration and inter-regional cooperation. 

“This workshop is an essential step in a continuing shift in strategic thinking about the sustainable development of our nations and will no doubt provide an opportunity for stakeholders here present to develop the much needed cooperation framework in addressing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)”, Amaechi said.           

Speaking further, the Minister who was represented by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that as the African Continent forges ahead with phase II negotiations for the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), the maritime sector remains critical to seamless trade and effective economic integration between African nations.

Accordingly, he said “our approach, therefore, towards the realisation of the SDG is contingent on our joint effort and ability to put in place the much needed cooperation framework in collaboration with critical stakeholders using the maritime sector as a veritable tool to promote agricultural development, food security, industrialisation and economic transformation of our nations, the region and the entire continent”.     

He used the opportunity to commend the IMO, UNECA and NIMASA for putting together the workshop, and expressed optimism that with the level of participation at the workshop, the objectives of developing blueprint and agreeing on a common approach in mainstreaming the maritime sector into the SDG and national plan of states will be achieved. 

On his part, the NIMASA DG, in his welcome address stated there is the need for the leaders of the various countries in the continent to understand the workings of the maritime sector, as maritime transportation plays an important role in a nation’s economic development.

He emphasised the need to help the leaders understand why it is important to mainstream maritime sector in economic plan and economic strategies of the various countries.

“As a country, we align with the initiative of the IMO to mainstream maritime transportation and the maritime sector to the economic planning of our various nations and also in the strategic planning. Not only are we going to mainstream maritime transport to the economic strategies of our various countries, there is being a shift from looking unto other countries for assistance to working with other countries, international partners in a cooperative and collaborative manner”, Dakuku stated.

Also, the NIMASA DG stated that Nigeria is currently pursuing an economic diversification programme, with a long term plan. “We are working from the known to a future we deserve, and we have taken a number of steps; we have clearly identified where we want to be as a country, we have identified pillars upon which we want to build that glorious future we are working towards”, Dakuku averred.  

The Director, Technical Cooperation Division of the IMO, Mr. Juvenal Shiundu in his remarks gave the assurance that the IMO is committed to assisting member states on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) agenda.

He said, IMO’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is manifestly reflected in its General Assembly Resolution (A.1126) adopted at its 30^th session in 2017, which includes among others, invitation to Member States, partner organizations to coordinate and work with the five United Nations Regional Economic Commissions to ensure that the maritime sector is reflected in regional programmes.

The two-day workshop is to create a forum for all the key players and stakeholders involved in the Cooperation Framework process to meet, establish the necessary contacts, which will be needed for future collaboration and for the inclusion of maritime in the mainstream of their economic strategies towards economic growth.

NIMASA DG Reaffirms Commitment To IDPs’ Welfare

                             

…Donates Relief Materials to Flood Victims in Rivers

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has restated its commitment to the wellbeing of victims of disaster in the country. Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, stated this in Port Harcourt while presenting food items and other materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Rivers State.

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The South-South Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Walson I. Brandon, received the relief materials on behalf of flood disaster victims and IDPs in Tai, Andoni, and Opobo-Nkoro local government areas of the state. Brandon appreciated NIMASA for the kind gesture and appealed to other corporate organisations and individuals to emulate the Agency.

Director, Special Duties, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka (third left), presenting relief materials to the South-South Zonal Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Wilson I. Brandon (right), at the South-South zonal store of NEMA in Port Harcourt. They are flanked by Zonal Coordinator, Eastern Zone, NIMASA, Heaky Dimowo (second left), Head, Procurement, Mr. Obom Otonye (second right), and Yusuf Nadabo of NIMASA’s Port Harcourt office (left).  

While presenting the items, Dakuku, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties (External Relations and Technical Cooperation), NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, stated, “This is part of the nation-wide donation of diverse forms of relief materials to people displaced as a result of the 2019 flood disaster that submerged some parts of the state and some other states across the country. It is a continuation of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which have taken place in some states and are still on-going.”

The DG told the representatives of NEMA that NIMASA would vigorously pursue the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians, and urged the coordinator to ensure judicious use of the items.

“We are here as a corporate organisation to comply with the Federal Government’s directive to all government organisations to use their powers and resources to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians affected by flood and other disasters. We, therefore, call on other corporate bodies to partner with us in this drive in order to always support the Federal Government’s drive in advancing gestures that impact lives positively and meaningfully in the country,” Dakuku added.

 While receiving the materials at the South-South zonal store of NEMA in Port Harcourt, Brandon commended the efforts of NIMASA. He emphasised that the gesture was a significant and timely intervention in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to guarantee the welfare of the citizens.

Brandon stated, “The Agency is ever grateful for this kind gesture and it would not be forgotten in a hurry. We call on well-meaning Nigerians also and corporate institutions to emulate NIMASA. We assure that the items donated would be judiciously distributed to the affected persons with the aim of alleviating their suffering.”

Materials donated to the victims included rice, corn, mattresses, sugar, salt, Dettol, beans, noodles, soap/detergents, sanitary pad, dippers, mats, blankets, mosquito nets, dairy foods, palm/vegetable oil, grinding machines, and pumping and sewing machines.

 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 cater for the needs of Nigerians affected by disaster. It is in line with this that NIMASA is carrying out the CSR activities across the six geopolitical zones in the country.