The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out areas of collaboration in weather forecasting and climate research.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, made this known in a statement in Lagos last week.
Jamoh said that he and his NiMet counterpart, Prof. Mansur Matazu, signed the MoU on behalf of both agencies of government.
The MoU is designed as a framework for NiMet to provide meteorological services for NIMASA to improve the welfare of seafarers and safety of navigation of vessels in Nigerian territorial waters in line with recommendations of the International Maritime Organisation.
Jamoh expressed confidence that the forecast for maritime safety and security through NiMet would also greatly enhance the confidence of the international community in the Nigerian maritime sector.
According to Jamoh, the objective of the MoU is to enhance the capacity of both agencies with a view to providing relevant meteorological services to seafarers and ocean-going vessels.
“This will allow sustainable development of the marine environment and delivery of products and services to the various sectors related to maritime safety, security, marine environment protection and other maritime activities.
“it is clear that the collaboration between NIMASA and NiMet will help the maritime sector fill the gaps earlier identified by the International Maritime Organisation during its last audit of the country’s maritime space,” he said.
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On his part, Matazu gave the assurance that the maritime industry would benefit from the partnership as the aviation sector was benefiting from NiMet’s services.
“Recently, Nimet invested over N720 million in equipment for maritime services.
“We are fully ready to make our services count in the maritime sector and we are sure that the maritime community globally is proud of this Nigerian initiative,” he said.
The MoU, NIMASA will provide the mechanism for dissemination of maritime meteorological information to seafarers.
It will make provision for calibration, consultancy and certification of instruments and equipment as well as ensure periodic training of staff engaged in meteorological observation.
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