NIMASA Inaugurates Joint Task Force For Rivers Ports

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Eastern Zone has inaugurated a joint Task Force to monitor compliance to Cabotage laws by operators at the Ports in Rivers State.

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Eastern Zone has inaugurated a joint Task Force to monitor compliance to Cabotage laws by operators at the Ports in Rivers State.
Inaugurating the task force whose members were drawn from; NIMASA, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Merchant Navy, Manning Agents and Maritime Guard Command (MAGC), the Zonal Co-ordinator of NIMASA, Mr. Olayemi Abass said the constitution of the task force is in line with the policy of the Director General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi in order to ensure strict compliance with the Cabotage laws.
The new body which  inauguration took place last week at NIMASA Eastern Zone Office in Port Harcourt has seven members with terms of reference which includes;  identification of all non-registered vessels with NIMASA Ship Registry Office, identification of all Cabotage non–compliant vessels in the areas of registration, ownership building and manning.
The Task force was also asked to identify all illegal manning activities, and jetties operating in the state. Mr. Abayomi Abass said that officers of NIMASA are committed to the good of the people of Nigeria. “This committee is critical and therefore you must be committed and exemplary in the discharge of your duty”, Abass stated.
He urged members of the Unions to be passionate about contributing their quota in the effort, and commended the unions for their commitment in the past and asked them to do more during the years ahead.
He reminded them on the level of poverty in the land and said that as union leaders, they have a role to play to ensure reduction of poverty among their members and among Nigerians. Abass also said that it is expected that members of the Nigerian Navy will be joining the Task Force with a view to make it succeed.
Mr. Abass also said that security of the waterways will be addressed, and said that they are taking measures to address all issues of piracy along Rivers waters.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Godwin Ajeseni, expressed happiness with the inauguration of the Task Force and accepted the responsibility to deliver in accordance with their terms of reference.