IMO Consultant commends Nigeria’s match towards second term bid for seat

As elections into the Category ‘C’ council seat of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) draws nearer, a consultant with the global body, Engr. Simon Rickabe has described Nigeria’s chances of retaining its seat as very bright.
The consultant stated this at a meeting organized by the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA on the need to establish reception facilities in all the nation’s port terminals as well as at the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). 
Appraising Nigeria’s level of compliance with IMO provisions; especially in the areas of maritime safety and marine pollution, Engr. Rickabe Nigeria is doing well when compared with other African countries.
 
 “I must commend the management of NIMASA for accepting the truth that there is much work to be done to completely comply with provisions of the IMO Conventions. Nigeria is doing well when compared with other African countries and I must say that there is significant outlook for Nigeria’s re-election into the IMO council. You are surely on the right path”, he declared. 
While welcoming the visitor, the director general of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu noted that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas has not established reception facilities at its terminal as required under the provisions of the MARPOL Convention. He added that establishing them is a necessity in compliance with the IMO requirements.
Port reception facilities are any fixed, floating or mobile facilities capable of receiving MARPOL residues or wastes from ships such as oily wastes, noxious liquid substances, sewage, garbage, ozone depleting substances and exhaust gas cleaning residues. 
He consequently advised that Nigerian Ports Authourity to work towards establishing the port reception facilities at NLNG port.
Harping on the need for Nigeria to lead in the efforts towards implementing IMO regulations, the NIMASA boss said: “I must say that Nigeria is on the Council of the IMO, therefore, we must be seen to be implementing and enforcing relevant international safety, security and marine environment regulations in its waters”.