NIMASA e-LIBRARY: OUR CAPACITY-BUILDING COMMITMENT BEYOND RHETORIC – JAMOH

·      Says Library Equipped to Bridge Industry Knowledge Gap

 

As Nigeria moves towards greater role for maritime in the national economy, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has declared the Agency’s unwavering commitment to capacity-building through its knowledge and research based initiatives. Dr. Jamoh made this known during the official launch of the Agency’s e-library at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Lagos. He said as a knowledge-based industry with huge opportunities, there was need to encourage research to enable the Nigerian maritime sector reach its full potential.

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (second right), cutting the tape to open the NIMASA Knowledge Centre and E-library at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Lagos, recently. He is flanked by Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed (second left); Director, Planning, Research, and Data Management Services, Mr. Anthony Ogadi (left), who represented the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Ofodile; and Head, Library, Aisha Askira. 

 

The Director-General stated, “You would agree with me that maritime is knowledge-based and we cannot afford to be left behind. This is why we have upgraded this library beyond physical books to the electronic ones. The virtual nature of the library makes accessibility of reading materials seamless from any part of the world just with a touch of the button on your phone. We believe this would help Nigeria to diversify its economy and reduce tremendously the oil dependency, as this library is equipped to bridge the knowledge gap in our industry.”

 

Jamoh also said, “By the official opening of the NIMASA Knowledge Centre E-library, we have once again shown beyond rhetoric that the Agency is committed to bequeathing treasured assets to Nigeria, Africa, and the global maritime community.” 

 

He said the library would help to preserve the country’s maritime history and advance the industry, as it would house a lot of reference materials.

“As you know, libraries are not just facilities for warehousing books and periodicals, they are also important cornerstones of a healthy community,” the Director-General stated. He added, “More than just storage spaces for books, libraries are important community hubs that serve as centres of learning, professional development and healthcare, among other benefits.”

 

The NIMASA DG also spoke on the NMRDC, which he said was designed as a training institution for the maritime industry. He likened the resource centre to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna State, which serves as a training facility for the security services.

 

“It is our hope that the purpose of this centre would be realised,” he stated, adding, “You can see it is designed to harbour students with a 44-apartment guest house where faculties and students can reside comfortably for a training period. It also has a world-class training centre and other facilities that can compete with the best in the world.”

 

MAGASHI: WITH LATEST HARDWARE, WE’RE SET TO OVERCOME INSECURITY IN OUR WATERS

·      Defence Minister, Amaechi, CNS inspect Deep Blue Project facilities 

·      Buhari fulfilling long national dream – transport minister

·      It’s a new dawn for maritime – Jamoh 

L-R: Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd); Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh; during an inspection of maritime security assets, in Lagos, recently.

As Nigeria gets set to deploy maritime security assets acquired under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, members of the Deep Blue Project Steering Committee have visited Lagos, Warri, Benin, and Onne to inspect the assets at the various locations. The delegation, led by Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), included Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas. They were joined by Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, and other members of the presidential committee on the inspection tour meant to confirm the readiness of the maritime assets for deployment.

The committee members said they were optimistic about the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project. They held that from what was on the ground, the project would deliver the national expectation of safety and security in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection concluded at the weekend, Magashi, who is also Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Deep Blue Project, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness for the launch of the assets. He assured of the Federal Government’s determination to continue to improve security in the country.

Magashi said the specifications of the latest intelligence and military hardware given to the contractors of the security project would be met.

“So far, so good, I think we are on the right course,” he said.

The defence minister added, "Sea piracy is already being tackled by our naval men, whose responsibility is to protect our waterways and they are doing a good job. The Gulf of Guinea is so vast; it involves many countries, with crimes being committed by citizens of these countries. But with the acquisition of these security equipment, we should be able to observe, detect and solve the problem of sea piracy. 

“The navy is already containing the situation. Before now, sea piracy was high, but it has reduced to a situation where I can say we are in control. The implementation of this project will further help in this direction.”

Amaechi said the President Muhammadu Buhari government was fulfilling a critical national aspiration and ambition of a safe and secure maritime environment where investors, tourists, and operators could confidently come to do business. He said it was a dream come true and a special feat, after all the failures of the past administrations.  

The minister disclosed that the training programme for professionals who would man the assets was proceeding as planned, assuring that it would be concluded soon. 

The Director-General of NIMASA, where the Deep Blue Project is domiciled, described the planned assets deployment as the beginning of a new dawn for the Nigerian maritime industry. 

Jamoh stated, “We have come a long way in the achievement of this dream, the dream of staying ahead of the machinations of criminals bent on thwarting our yearning for maximum benefits from the rich maritime resources Nature has endowed us with.

“We are deploying technology and advanced domain awareness techniques to ensure security of our waters, up to the Gulf of Guinea.”    

The key components of the Deep Blue Projects are: air, maritime, and land assets; Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Operation Centre; and the training programme. The C4i Centre has been up and running since last year, while over 80 per cent of the assets have been delivered and are ready for deployment. 

The assets include helicopters, interceptor boats, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Special Mission Aircraft, Special Mission Vessels, and armoured vehicles, which would be operated by a standby intervention team, and linked to the C4i Centre. The centre would also be integrated with the Maritime Intelligence System and the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye for real time monitoring and reporting of activities within the country’s maritime space. 

National Assembly: Despite COVID-19, NIMASA’s Budget Performance Laudable

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has given a thumps up to the budget implementation status of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), saying the Agency has done creditably well, despite the coronavirus pandemic.  Chairman of the committee, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, stated this in Lagos during an oversight visit by members to NIMASA.  

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu (right), in a tête-à-tête with Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during an oversight visit to NIMASA by the committee on Monday November 16, 2020

 

Ikpeazu expressed confidence in the current management of NIMASA led by the Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh. She said Dr. Jamoh had laid down a clear roadmap for taking the Agency to greater heights, and pledged the lower chamber’s support.

Jamoh had on assumption of duty as Director-General in March launched a three-pronged agenda for maritime industry development focused on Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, and Shipping Development.   

The House Committee chairman said by that agenda, “The Director-General has laid a good foundation for the committee and the committee is here to monitor the activities of the Agency for 2020 and see how it has performed so far and further legislative assistance that can be brought to bear in order to generate more revenue for the government.”

She added, “The DG of NIMASA is doing his best to ensure that he repositions the Agency to make sure the Agency delivers on its core mandates. We will make sure we give the DG all the necessary support he needs because we have seen him moving towards the right direction and, most especially, he has made it clear to us that he wants to address insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. The issue of security goes a long way to affect revenue generation in the maritime sector.”

The chairman also revealed that the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act Amendment Bill had gone through First Reading in the House of Representatives. She said the proposed amendment will reflect contemporary issues that would be beneficial to indigenous shipowners in the country.

“A more responsive Cabotage law will stimulate opportunities and policies for giving seafarers jobs and improve on shipbuilding capacity,” Ikpeazu stated.

Jamoh, in his response, thanked the committee for the cooperation and support it had accorded NIMASA. He said on his watch human capacity development in the maritime industry would continue to take pride of place.

The Director-General stated, “Human beings are the most important link in the maritime industry and, at the same time, the weakest and most complicated in the industry. This administration will take the issue of training and capacity development of staff serious and we have gone further to maintain a close relationship with the maritime workers union to ensure that dockworkers are properly trained.”

CITN Underlines NIMASA’s Critical Role in Economic Development

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has emphasised the pivotal role of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the attempt to fast-tract tax revenue to a prime source of government finance in the country’s economic development drive. President and Chairman of Council, CITN, Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice, said this in Lagos recently during the 22nd Annual Tax Conference organised by the institute. Simplice commended NIMASA’s commitment to the development of the maritime industry through promotion of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative and expansion of infrastructure, saying they are key to national progress.

President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice (middle); Deputy Director, Debt Recovery, Financial Services Department, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Odunayo Ani (right); and tax consultant and former Director, Special Duties, NIMASA, Mr. Victor Onuzuruike, at the 22nd Annual Tax Conference organised by CITN in Lagos, recently.

“NIMASA is a regulatory agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating shipping business in the maritime industry, creating enabling environment to simplify taxes on businesses to attract foreign direct investment, and revenue generation,” Simplice stated. 

The CITN president also spoke on the strategic economic importance of marine tourism and water transportation and called for deliberate measures to develop them.

“As a regulatory body, it is your duty to regulate this tourism aspect of Nigeria, encourage indigenous shipping, and financially empower Nigerians to develop their cargo businesses, which automatically enable our local and foreign exports through ships,” Simplice said regarding the Agency. “NIMASA can bring water tourism into focus in Nigeria, and this is my charge to NIMASA,” she added.

Simplice said NIMASA had been instrumental in the fight against piracy and other maritime crimes, stating that the partnership with the Nigerian Navy will go a long way in safeguarding the country’s maritime environment. She called for equal treatment of operators in the industry and tax concessions to shipping companies, especially on account of the adverse effect of COVID-19. 

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the governors of Lagos, Kaduna, and Gombe states, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, respectively.

The conference centred on the broader role of taxation as an essential tool for economic growth and competitiveness, with submissions on policy, legal and administrative prescriptions for various stakeholders.

Attack on NPA Headquarters: Heads of Maritime Agencies in Deep Shock

·        Port Facilities Key to National Economy – Jamoh

·        It’s Assault on Maritime Industry – Hadiza

Heads of maritime agencies have expressed shock at the attack and level of destruction that took place at the corporate headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos, recently, when hoodlums hijacked a nationwide peaceful protest by youths. The chief executives voiced their concerns on Friday during a solidarity visit to the site of the incident. They said it was a surprise to them that NPA was singled out for attack despite its documented Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations initiatives, many of which were tailored to youth development.

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Council For the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sam Nwakohu Esq; Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Balla Usman; and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during a solidarity visit to the NPA headquarters in Lagos following a recent arson attack by hoodlums that destroyed sections of the agency’s head office.

The NPA headquarters was recently targeted by mobsters who exploited the #ENDSARS protest against police brutality to cause mayhem in many cities around the country. 

Speaking on behalf of the chief executives, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, condemned the assault, saying the level of destruction is monumental and constitutes a huge loss to the maritime community as a whole.

Moghalu stated, “Seeing the level of destruction here first hand, we feel very sad about the turn of events. We are all in solidarity with the NPA management. This is a great loss to the entire country and we need to educate ourselves more that violence is not the best way to go about things.”

In a similar vein, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, regretted that the maritime industry was made to face this challenge despite still battling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said port facilities were critical national assets that should be collectively protected. 

“Port facilities are invaluable economic assets and they are critical to national development,” Jamoh stated. “It behoves us all as citizens to be custodians of this monumental infrastructure built for our collective good,” he added.  

While commending Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Balla Usman, for providing leadership at this trying time for the agency, Dr Jamoh said the Nigerian economy would have suffered considerably if the destruction had led to suspension of port operations.

He said, “This is a sad event, especially, for our industry that is still battling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Port operations are central to the activities of all the maritime agencies. We are just lucky that this did not stop shipping operations because this would have negatively impacted or crippled the Nigerian economy.”

The NPA Managing Director called the attack an assault on the maritime industry, saying the level of destruction is incomprehensible. 

Other chief executives of maritime agencies present were Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello; Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Council For the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sam Nwakohu Esq; and Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua (retd.). 

Re-establishment of National Fleet Imminent – Jamoh

·        Calls for Sustainable National Shipping Line 

Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to the establishment of a strong and sustainable national fleet, saying the desire for a Nigerian shipping line is gradually being achieved. Jamoh stated this in Lagos while receiving members of the National Fleet Implementation Committee who paid him a courtesy visit at the Agency’s headquarters. He told the team led by the committee chairman and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello, that the need for a national carrier cannot be overemphasised owing to the enormous economic benefits it offers.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh (middle) Presenting a souvenir to the Chairman National Fleet Implementation Committee, Barr. Hassan Bello, while foremost shipowner  and committee member, Isaac Jolapamo, looks on when the Committee paid a courtesy visit to the NIMASA Headquarters in Lagos.

According to him, “There is no better time to have a national carrier and develop the maritime industry than now, when the world is gradually looking away from fossil fuels, which currently form the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, and President Muhammadu Buhari is trying to diversify the economy from oil.

“Nigeria cannot be caught unawares; we need to look at ways of developing our shipping sector, which, from studies, is capable of earning the country even more than oil annually.”

Jamoh stated that the Nigerian maritime sector had the potential to grow by between three and five per cent annually due to the size of the local market, but regretted that this capacity remained mostly untapped. He said since the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995, the country had been looking for avenues to float a national carrier, though through private sector participation. 

The Director-General added that the Federal Government had over the years put different measures in place to stimulate the maritime sector due to its strategic importance to the economic fortunes of the country. He emphasised the need for the country to learn from experience in order to avoid the pitfalls that ruined the NNSL.

“We need to have a sustainable national shipping line in order to avoid the reasons the NNSL was liquidated. The committee must focus on ensuring that the implementation stands the test of time,” Jamoh said.

 

He said the Agency's commitment to fully and actively supporting the drive for a wholly Nigerian-owned and operated fleet was unwavering, explaining that it is one of the main pillars that NIMASA is built upon. “It is also the third leg of the tripod driving the development agenda of the current management at NIMASA,” he said.  

In his remarks, Bello said the committee was at a critical stage of the national fleet implementation process, stressing that capital injection is required at this juncture to actualise the project. 

According to him, “The quest for a Nigerian fleet is essential in ensuring that the country regains control of our external trade, thereby opening up the economy. This is a perfect time for Nigeria to invest in its own fleet, with global dependency on oil projected to dwindle considerably by 2030 and alternative power sources replacing fossil fuels in many countries. 

“Consequently, a mono-economy, such as ours, should be diversifying into other revenue streams, with maritime being a major potential earner.” 

Bello said the primary objectives of the committee were to create employment opportunities for Nigerians; reposition the Nigerian maritime sector; and generate revenue for the Federal Government as well as economic benefits to businesses ancillary to the maritime sector, such as the logistics and services.

Speaking in support of the leading position taken by NIMASA in the push for a wholly Nigerian-owned, manned and operated fleet, Aminu Umar and Isaac Jolapamo, both members of the National Fleet Implementation Committee and also prominent shipowners, commended NIMASA for its active role in the fleet implementation process. 

Recall that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, having identified the need to diversify the economy and address the imbalance in the maritime industry, decided to establish a private sector-led Nigerian maritime fleet to participate in the carriage of the country’s import and export cargo.

 

Economic Diversification: Maritime to Lead Nigeria Out of Oil Dependency, Says Jamoh

With many countries proposing ban on use of fossil fuels, and the world transitioning from oil, Dr. Bashir Jamoh says maritime offers Nigeria a bounteous substitute in the country’s economic diversification drive. The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) stated this recently in Abuja when he delivered a paper at the National Defence College (NDC).

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), and Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Mackson Kadiri, during a lecture by Jamoh on “Maritime Security and National Development in Nigeria: The Role of NIMASA,” to NDC Course 29 participants in Abuja recently

The lecture titled, “Maritime Security and National Development in Nigeria: The Role of NIMASA,” was for NDC Course 29 participants.

Jamoh said maritime had enormous potential to drive sustainable development in Nigeria, with huge investment opportunities in shipbuilding and repairs, offshore/floating spare parts sales and maintenance, freshwater bunkering and supply, dredging, and inland waterways transportation. Added to the fact that about 75 per cent of all Gulf of Guinea-bound cargo are destined for Nigeria, he said if properly harnessed, maritime could give the country 30 times more than the revenue from oil. 

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (middle); Director, Information and Communication Technology, National Defence College (NDC), Air Commodore Gabriel Kehinde (left); and Lecture Sponsor Participant, Captain NN Bamidele, during a lecture by Jamoh on “Maritime Security and National Development in Nigeria: The Role of NIMASA,” to NDC Course 29 participants in Abuja recently

Oil contributes about 70 per cent of government revenue and nearly 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria. But Nigeria is trying to move away from the near total dependence on oil.

Jamoh stated, “Judging by a simple maritime resource mapping, and also research by reputable local and international organisations, it is clear that our marine environment can give us annually 30 times more than what we get from oil. There is boundless opportunity for investment in the sector, given the right conditions.”

The Director-General decried the effect of maritime security issues on Nigeria and enumerated steps taken by the country to tackle the problem. These include the promotion of worthy maritime governance system, maritime infrastructure development, and investment in maritime security. He said the fiscal and monetary interventions by government, recent arrangements for better management of the NIMASA modular floating dock, and stakeholder support systems were part of efforts to enthrone good governance in the sector. On security and infrastructure development, he highlighted the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project, and the various fleet expansion and shipbuilding plans as measures to ensure a conducive environment for investment in the maritime industry. 

“We are tackling the security issues in our waters, and we know that the international community is concerned, and the stakeholders are mindful of our efforts,” Jamoh said. “Those who do business in our maritime environment want to make sure that when they arrive Nigeria safely, they are also able to leave Nigeria safely.”  

NIMASA, being the country’s Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of maritime regulations, has taken steps to create the right atmosphere for investment in the maritime sector. Jamoh identified the steps to include the Agency’s pivotal role in the recent intensification of collaboration and teamwork among maritime agencies; strengthening of cooperation between NIMASA and the security agencies, particularly, in the area of information sharing; establishment of a Maritime Intelligence Unit; proposed Maritime Security Strategy Document; the proposed Maritime Security Committee; and enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019.

In his remarks, Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Mackson Kadir, called for a positive reorientation towards maritime. Kadir commended the NIMASA Director-General for his efforts towards the growth of the maritime industry and intensification of the collaborative spirit among relevant organisations in the sector.

Over 14 countries and more than 20 cities around the world have proposed banning the sale of passenger vehicles powered by fossil fuels – petrol, liquefied petroleum gas, and diesel – at some point in the future.