The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has commended the partnership with the Nigerian Navy, describing both institutions as partners in progress.
Receiving the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos recently, the Director General noted that the importance of the Navy to the development of the nation’s maritime sector could not be overemphasized.
He reiterated the commitment of the Agency to fight piracy, develop human capacity, ensure safety of vessels, removal of wrecks and prevent and mitigate the effects of pollution, all geared towards the growth and development of the maritime sector.
Mr Akpobolokemi also noted that, as the maritime regulatory agency, NIMASA owed the international community the obligation to assure the safety of their vessels, crew and cargo in order to foster shipping trade between Nigeria and the rest of the world.
The NIMASA helmsman, who commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy for their efforts in combating piracy over the years, pledged the Agency’s continuous support to the partnership to help it carry out their day-to-day mandate effectively.
In his words, “Piracy is capable of crippling the nation’s economy. Since shipping largely contributes to the growth of any economy, the economy cannot thrive where piracy activities are carried out.”
He further commended the Management of the Nigerian Navy for the creating the Central Naval Command, noting that it would also help checkmate all forms of illegalities in the maritime space of these areas.
In his response, Rear Admiral Alade commended NIMASA for its dogged efforts in ensuring that piracy activities on the nation’s territorial water ways are curbed to the barest minimum, and in the area of human capacity development which has also been extended to the naval personnel working in the Maritime Guard Command Unit of the Agency.
He further assured the Agency of a more mutually beneficial relationship, noting that his command would continue to partner with NIMASA for the benefit and good of the nation.
“The Nigerian Navy will ensure that the partnership between it and NIMASA grows from strength to strength and will continue to work hard to ensure that the nation’s maritime sector is more attractive and business friendly to potential investors,” Rear Admiral Alade said.
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