ADDRESSING MARITIME INSECURITY IS FOCUS OF HLSI PARTNERSHIP' – AMAECHI

- Says it will Curb Revenue Leakage 

The Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has emphasized that the motivation behind the Ministry of Transport/Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)/HLSI partnership was primarily to halt the maritime insecurity in Nigerian waters and end revenue leakages caused by security challenges.

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Honourable Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (middle);

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside (left); and President Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) Dr Mc George Onyung at a high Stakeholders interactive session on the issues and progress in the maritime sector, held in Lagos today, May 28, 2019.

Amaechi made the assertion in Lagos today, May 28 at a high Stakeholders interactive session on the issues and progress in the sector which also had in attendance the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside in the company of leading figures in the maritime industry, major international shipping companies and other key figures in the sector.

''Criminals must be chased out of Nigerian territorial waters to make it safe and attractive for more foreign investment. The Federal Government is committed to this project hence the need to collaborate with HLSI Systems in this way'', Amaechi said.

''All vessels plying Nigerian territorial waters would be identified and monitored from point to point throughout the period of their stay in Nigeria to ascertain all activities conducted'' he added.

Representatives of HLSI Limited proceeded to give a detailed presentation, under the theme, 'Establishment of an Integrated National Security and Waterway Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria - Deep Blue Project' in which the company reviewed the progress recorded in both the areas of procurement of maritime security assets as well as the human capacity aspect involving training courses.

To date, C4I Systems Operator, Intelligence Systems Operator and Basic Infantry training courses have been successfully conducted with well-trained graduates emerging from those programmes while a timetable for the delivery of maritime security assets was laid out in the course of the presentation.

An overview of the Deep Blue Project reveals the system as providing a 360 degree, eagle eye view of Nigeria's maritime domain thereby equipping NIMASA (as the Designated Authority) with comprehensive and real time information on every activity conducted by Vessels within Nigerian waters.

CSR: ROTARY HONOURS NIMASA FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

·        Hails Flood Relief Programme

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOVT IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WELFARE NIMASA TELLS FLOOD VICTIMS

…As the Agency Donates Relief Materials to Delta IDPs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NIMASA COMMITTED TO RELEASE OF HIJACKED MT APECUS CREW

·        Suspects Illegal Trading Activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nigeria Long Overdue for National Fleet, Says Dakuku

…Pledges to support implementation committee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maritime Tourism Can Grow Nigeria’s Economy – NIMASA DG

·        Tasks Stakeholders on Opportunities

·        Agency Wins Maritime Regulator of the Year Award.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARITIME TRADE: NIMASA, PORT OF ANTWERP SET TO PARTNER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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