The Federal government has given assurances that it would ensure that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will attach more importance to its port and flag state responsibilities as a way of bolstering the nation’s profile among maritime nations.
This assurance was given by the minister of state fro water, Prince Okechukwu Emeka last week in Lagos at the ceremony to mark this year’s world maritime day.
Represented by the director of maritime services at the ministry, Alhaji Musa Karam, the minister acknowledged that Nigeria still has a lot to accomplish in the area of port state control and flag state control functions.
He gave assurances that government would reequip the nations’ maritime institutions with a view reinforcing their capacities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the director general, NIMASA, Dr Ade Dosunmu recalled Nigeria’s recent victory as a member of the elite Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), saying it was a demonstration of the status of the country among maritime nations of the world.
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“The victory, according to him is a further challenge that Nigeria and indeed NIMASA must remain focused on the dictates of the IMO while also ensuring that the Nigerian maritime community can indeed feel the impact of our council membership” , he stated.
The world maritime day was first celebrated in 1978, since them it has become an annual ritual which is always flagged-off by the IMO itself.
This year’s celebration in Nigeria was attended by stakeholders, including top officials of the Nigerian Ports Authourity as well as those of the National Inland Waterways Authourity. The private sector was also adequately represented.
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