SANWO-OLU SEEKS OPTIMIZATION OF MARITIME INPUT

 

--Commends FG’s Decision to Move Containers With Barges

--Amaechi Appeals for More Understanding, Transparency On Secure   Anchorage

--As National Assembly Pledges Support for Jamoh

Pix 1: From Left, Chairman Governing Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Akinwunmi Ricketts, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Chairman Governing Board of NIMASA, Hon. Asita O. Asita during the 2020 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos.

 

The Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that the maritime industry is pivotal to Nigeria’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying the country must put in place deliberate measures for the optimal utilisation of its enormous maritime potential. Sanwo-Olu said this in Lagos on Thursday on the occasion of the 2020 World Maritime Day, with the theme, “Sustainable Shipping For Sustainable Planet.”

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, commended the Federal Government for its plan to move containers across the country with barges, stressing that it would bring about more efficiency and ease pressure on the roads.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, acknowledged the security challenge in the country’s waters and called for synergy among stakeholders in tackling the problem. Amaechi, who joined the event virtually from Abuja, identified the secure anchorage issue as one that required greater understanding and transparency on the part of stakeholders.

In her own remarks, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, commended the recent collaboration between the Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Police, and NIMASA in addressing maritime insecurity in the country. Ikpeazu pledged the National Assembly’s support for the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, in his effort to galvanise the capacities of stakeholders towards maritime safety, security, and shipping development.

According to the Governor, “The theme of this year’s World Maritime Day, Sustainable Shipping For a Sustainable Planet, is apt and timely when we need to pay rapt attention to making our shipping process more environmentally friendly. It is also coming at a time when we need to support the maritime industry to contribute its quota to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development by 2030.”

The governor added, “We need to optimise the potential of the maritime industry by utilising our waterways to transport goods and services from one destination to another locally. In respect of this, I must commend the Federal Government for the plan to begin transportation of containers from Lagos to Onitsha through barges and subsequently, to other parts of the country.” 

In her welcome address, the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, said the event provided an opportunity for the country to focus attention on the crucial role of the maritime industry in the attainment of the SDGs. Saraki said the maritime sector was replete with both opportunities and challenges, noting that the country must find sustainable ways of profitable utilisation of its huge maritime resources.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, in her own remarks, emphasised the importance of sustainable use of the seas and oceans. Orelope-Adefulire said a sustainable blue economy would unlock the full economic opportunities of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and other water resources through investment, while protecting the environment for future generations.

Speaking also at the occasion, Dr. Jamoh restated the Federal government’s commitment to the security of the country’s marine environment through the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project. He said over 85 per cent of the assets needed for the project’s full takeoff had arrived the country, stressing that the training process for officers that would man the various equipment is being concluded.

According to him, “The determination of the Agency to ensure sustainable use of the seas and oceans is clearly demonstrated by our establishment in 2008 of a specialised department in charge of marine environment management. With the current collaboration between NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies, I am convinced that the future of maritime security in the country is very bright.”

Other dignitaries present at the occasion included the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Danjuma Goje, who was represented by a member of the Committee, Sen. Tolu Odebiyi; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani; Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders (CRFFN), Mike Jukwe; and Chairman, Ship Owners Forum, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi.

September 25 every year is set aside by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to commemorate the World Maritime Day. Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, marked this year’s event on September 24. 

 

EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE WILL GROW NIGERIA’S ECONOMY-JAMOH

…As NIMASA, Public Service Reform Bureau Partner on Change Initiatives 

 

 

Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)  Dr. Bashir Jamoh has emphasized  the importance of efficient and effective Public Service to Nigeria’s economic prosperity. This was as he stated the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) on the design and implementation of the transformational initiatives in the maritime sector. 

Director of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi (right), making a presentation to Director, Reform Coordination and Strategic Management (RC&SM), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Muhammad Kabir Murnai, during a courtesy visit by NIMASA to BPSR in Abuja

 

Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who disclosed this in Abuja during a visit to the Bureau said the partnership would be focused on reform initiatives and development research.

 

The NIMASA DG, who was represented by the Agency’s Director, Reform Coordination and Strategic Management, Dr. Kabir Murnai, said a sustainable relationship between the two Federal Government agencies was essential for capacity development.

 

Jamoh stated, “We are here to see how we can connect with BPSR in order to clearly understand and key into government's specific priorities, while still pursuing the respective mandates and goals of NIMASA. 

“We desire advisory and technical support services for change management teams, to engender an environment of learning within NIMASA."

 

Responding, Director of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, appreciated the NIMASA DG and his management team for the visit. Arabi pledged the Bureau’s commitment to the collaboration agreement for the mutual benefit of the two agencies.

 

BPSR was established in 2004 to coordinate implementation of government reform policies and programmes.

 

 

MARITIME SECURITY: NIMASA, AIR FORCE SET TO DEPLOY ASSETS FOR DEEP BLUE PROJECT

Air assets acquired under the Deep Blue Project, also called the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, domiciled with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are set for deployment by the Nigerian Air Force in support of the Federal Government’s maritime security effort. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, announced this when the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, paid a working visit to the Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Abuja.

R-L: The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar explaining a point to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh during a working visit by the NIMASA DG to the Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Abuja recently.

The NIMASA DG had requested adequate arrangement to receive and deploy the two special mission aircraft expected in the country in the next few months.

While commending the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force for its commitment to capacity development, Dr. Jamoh noted that NIMASA was committed to ensuring the success of the Deep Blue Project with adequate cooperation from all stakeholders. He stated, “We have received two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and the two special mission aircraft are expected to arrive Nigeria before the end of the year. The challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the special training for the personnel to man these air assets, but we have found a way around it. We will continue to seek your partnership to secure the Nigerian maritime domain.”

Dr. Jamoh disclosed that 17 fast interceptor boats, 15 armoured vehicles, and two special mission vessels were some of the land and marine assets already on the ground. He said all hands must be on deck to secure the country’s maritime environment and change all negative narratives.

Responding, Air Marshal Abubakar said the NAF had maintained a longstanding cordial relationship with NIMASA, with an MOU on Maritime Air Surveillance and Intelligence signed in 2013. He said, though, the MOU had elapsed, the NAF had continued to play a crucial role in maritime security, working closely with the Nigerian Navy, and NIMASA.

Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that NAF had recently established a Combat Reconnaissance Group (203 CRG) in Gombe State, primarily, to deal with the security challenges in the North-East and other parts of the North. He said the drones that would be deployed with the 203 CRG could be moved to any part of the country, including coastal locations, especially given the crucial place of the maritime environment to the survival of the country.

“Indeed, we are working towards establishing UAV wings in Lagos, Calabar, and Port Harcourt to support other security agencies in maintaining the security of the maritime environment,” he stated.

Abubakar assured the DG that Air Force would do everything in its power to partner with NIMASA on the Deep Blue Project, saying the Federal Government is doing everything humanly possible to secure Nigeria and Nigerians.

The Deep Blue Project, also called the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, is a maritime security project, which aims to comprehensively tackle insecurity in Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, up to the Gulf of Guinea.

NIGERIA SECURING MORE SEA TIME FOR CADETS, DESPITE COVID-19

…NSDP Progressing As Planned-Jamoh

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has made significant progress in securing sea time berths for cadets trained under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), despite the limitations of the coronavirus pandemic. Director-General of the Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this in Lagos following a recent three-month extension granted the 400 Nigerian seafarers undertaking sea time in different parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dr. Bashir Jamoh

DG. NIMASA

The three-month programme leading to the award of Certificate of Competency (CoC) to beneficiaries, was extended for another three months by NIMASA, in the first instance, to enable the seafarers complete their training amid the global lockdowns caused by the pandemic. 

Jamoh stated that despite the outbreak of COVID-19, the Agency had intensified efforts to secure sea time opportunities for a good number of the trained cadets across the globe. 

He stated, “In the first quarter of 2020 alone we secured sea time berths for over 550 cadets in various countries for the three months programme leading to the issuance of CoCs. However, due to the pandemic, we extended their sponsorship for another three months, which comes with additional cost, and we are still looking to extend it further as we continue to monitor the pandemic and how it affects the programme.” 

The NIMASA DG stated that the Agency was in constant touch with Nigerian embassies in the beneficiaries’ host countries as well as the students themselves and their leaders to monitor their situations and guard against anything that could keep them stranded in a foreign country.

“We have adapted our approaches to the peculiar conditions of the different countries where we have Nigerian seafarers on sea time training,” Jamoh said, adding, “The feedbacks from the students’ leaders in the various countries have been very encouraging.”

He disclosed that another set of NSDP cadets had been approved for training, but their enrolment was on hold due to the global pandemic. 

Jamoh said the problem of sea time training, which is one of the biggest challenges of seafarers, was gradually being resolved.

The NSDP was initiated by NIMASA in 2008 to deal with the dearth of trained and certified seafarers in Nigeria. So far the programme has graduated over 2,000 cadets and many of them have undergone sea time and are currently in the employ of various international shipping lines. 

NIMASA KEY IN STOPPING COUNTRY’S OIL DEPENDENCE – GOV DIRI

·        Says Nigeria’s Future Lies in Maritime Development 

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Duoye Diri, says the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is key in efforts to wean Nigeria from its dependence on crude oil, stressing that the most enduring wealth of the country is in maritime. Diri stated this on Monday in Lagos, when he paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of NIMASA. He said the country’s future depended on the successful harnessing of the enormous resources in its marine environment. 

Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration & Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh with the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Duoye Diri, during the visit of the Governor to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos

Diri appealed to NIMASA to increase its presence in Bayelsa State, especially in the area of domain awareness, to ensure security in the state’s maritime environment and build confidence in investments in the state’s huge maritime potential. 

The governor, who was received by the NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and the Executive Management team, said, “A lot of countries are moving away from fossil fuel and maritime gives Nigeria an alternative. All the eight local governments in our state can be accessed by water. In fact, the headquarters of three of these local governments can only be reached by water. This shows how important our state is to maritime development. 

“We are, therefore, seeking partnership with NIMASA, which is the apex maritime regulatory agency of our country, to expand her regulatory activities to our state.”

Diri said, “NIMASA and Bayelsa are inextricably one,” and there was need for both to work together to strengthen the country’s maritime domain. 

He appealed to NIMASA to help in the removal of wrecks that had impaired navigation in many parts of the coastal state.   

The governor requested NIMASA’s support to the government in its attempt to develop the state’s maritime potential. He sought the Agency’s partnership in the areas of training and youth development, establishment of a maritime academy in the state, and development of the Agge Deep Seaport in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Responding, the NIMASA Director-General said Bayelsa State was one of the Agency’s strongest allies in the pursuit of its mandate of sustainable regulation and promotion of the maritime sector. He said security was of utmost importance in the realisation of a prosperous maritime sector, adding that he would facilitate the incorporation of Bayelsa State in the ongoing effort to integrate the maritime domain awareness facilities of relevant stakeholders, including NIMASA’s C4i, Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye, Nigerian Ports Authority’s C3i, and the i247 of the Nigeria Police.

Jamoh stated, “Bayelsa State holds the key to the growth of our economy because a huge part of our coastline falls within the state. Thankfully, the issue of wreck removal has been sorted out and we have concluded the marking and identification of all wrecks and derelicts across the country for removal.”

The DG assured the governor of the Agency’s support “in terms of maritime growth and we will look into expanding our office in Bayelsa in order to have more presence in the state.”   

Crude Affreightment: NIMASA Revives Move to Change Terms of Trade

·        Seeks new maritime security strategy

 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has revived efforts to change the Terms of Trade for the affreightment of Nigerian crude oil from Free on Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF).

R-L: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh making a presentation to the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, Sir Billy Okoye during a courtesy visit by NNPC to the Agency in Lagos recently.

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this in Lagos, when he received a delegation from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) led by the newly appointed Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, Sir Billy Okoye.

Jamoh, who had recently paid a similar working visit to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, at the corporation’s headquarters in Abuja, expressed NIMASA’s appreciation of NNPC for accommodating the Agency’s interests in transactions where the maritime regulator relied on data from the national oil company.

The NIMASA DG also revealed that the Agency was working towards the implementation of a National Maritime Security Strategy to improve security in Nigerian waters and reduce the cost of shipping.

“Since 2018, NIMASA has championed moves for a change in the terms of trade with regard to transportation of Nigerian crude oil, from FOB to CIF to ensure greater benefits for the country from its oil resources,” the Director-General stated. “A technical committee involving NIMASA, NNPC, and other stakeholders would be set up to develop a template for the desired change, with workable timelines,” he added.

Under FOB trade terms, Nigeria has no reasonable control over the delivery of its crude oil as regards carriage, insurance, and other ancillary services. But under the CIF arrangement, the country maintains ample control over the distribution of its oil, which can be leveraged to enhance the competitive advantage of indigenous operators.

 

Jamoh commended the synergy between NNPC and NIMASA, saying, “Seventy per cent of the Agency’s revenue comes through the sale of crude. Thus, cooperation between NNPC and NNPC cannot be over-emphasised.”

The NIMASA Director-General also disclosed, “The Maritime Intelligence Unit recently established by the Agency is part of efforts to ensure a proactive approach to security in our waters. The focus is to try to nip maritime attacks in the bud by tracking the criminals from the pre-planning and planning stages.

“The ultimate aim is to develop a National Maritime Security Strategy that would help to minimise the cost of insecurity, which NNPC bears on behalf of the country, in the shipment of Nigerian crude.”

The DG recalled NNPC’s grant of the Agency’s requests and generous pledge of cooperation during his recent visit to the corporation and prayed for the continuation of such mutual understanding.

He stated, “We appreciate the NNPC for accommodating NIMASA in its processes. We do not delay vessels in the search for information on them because of the confidence we have in NNPC’s capacity to readily supply such information.”

The Director-General appealed for more local content in the transportation of the country’s crude in line with the Cabotage regime.

While addressing the meeting earlier, Okoye declared that NIMASA was a “critical stakeholder in the business of crude oil sale.” He said his goal was to get the two agencies of government interfacing more closely with each other to resolve challenges and ensure seamless movement of crude and petroleum products in the country.

 

Nigeria, Korea Pledge to Deepen Cooperation in Shipping

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, in an elbow bump with the Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria, Kim In-Taek, after a meeting in Lagos.

Nigeria and South Korea have agreed to intensify their collaboration in trade and shipping development. This was disclosed in Lagos during a meeting between the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria, Kim In-Taek.

Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria, Kim In-Taek, making a presentation to the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, after a meeting in Lagos.

Both countries have maintained good maritime and trade relations since the 1980s. But Jamoh and In-Taek said there was need to expand the relationship in line with global economic dynamics.  

The NIMASA Director-General told newsmen after the meeting with the South Korean envoy that development of Nigeria’s maritime potential was a critical element of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification agenda. He said the Republic of Korea was an important partner in the effort to harness the enormous treasures of Nigeria’s marine environment.       

Jamoh stated, “There is a great deal of interest in harnessing our rich maritime resources and potential as new sources of government revenue under the Nigerian government’s economic diversification drive. We see South Korea as very important here.

“The relationship between the two countries dates back to the 1980s. We have been together on trade, power, and energy. And in the meeting I had with In-Taek, we discussed possible areas of cooperation in terms of ship repairs and ship recycling and we agreed that we will continue to improve on trade cooperation.”

The Director-General added, “To consolidate on the already existing relationship and increase our trade and maritime cooperation, especially in the areas of shipbuilding, ship repairs, and ship recycling, among other aspects of shipping development, there needs to be more effort from both countries.

“Interestingly, we are agreed on the need to improve cooperation in these areas.”

The Director-General reiterated that shipping development was part of his administration’s three-point agenda, which also includes maritime safety and maritime security.

In-Taek, in his own remarks, described NIMASA as a very important organisation, saying Korea is willing to develop a good relationship with the Nigerian maritime sector.

He said, “Nigeria has the potential because it is a leading country, not only in the shipping area, but also in other businesses in Africa. Nigeria has a big economy, with the population as an added advantage in the continent, hence, the Koreans can do business with Nigeria successfully.”  

In-Taek, who is nearing the end of his two-year tenure in Nigeria, thanked the Korean authorities for giving him the opportunity to serve in Nigeria. He called on the NIMASA Director-General to extend the cooperation accorded him to his successor.

Korea is a leading shipbuilder in the world, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of global ship orders.