The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has urged shipping companies to collaborate with it in the enforcement of the Maritime Environment Regulations, 2012.
The Director-General of the agency, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, made the appeal in an address of welcome at a meeting of shipping companies and the agency.
The director-general was represented by the Executive Director of the Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba.
He said that the enforcement would reduce pollution of the maritime environment.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has urged shipping companies to collaborate with it in the enforcement of the Maritime Environment Regulations, 2012.
The Director-General of the agency, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, made the appeal in an address of welcome at a meeting of shipping companies and the agency.
The director-general was represented by the Executive Director of the Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba.
He said that the enforcement would reduce pollution of the maritime environment.
''We are living witnesses to the degradation of our land and the destruction of the ecosystem with the attendant economic implication which oil pollution has caused this nation.
''This meeting is to seek to enhance sustainable development of a maritime environment management system by putting in place a self funding mechanism that preserves and protects it against such occurrences,’’ he said.
Akpobolokemi said that NIMASA had the mandate to implement all the instruments of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure maritime safety in Nigeria.
He said that the agency was determined to ensure best practices.
Agaba, speaking in his capacity as the Executive Director of the Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, said that the domestication of the IMO’s Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Convention gave rise to the regulations.
He said that enforcement of the regulation would prevent pollution emanating from ships and offshore installations.
Agaba said that Nigeria was committed to ensuring cleaner oceans and preserving maritime resources.
He called for more public sensitisation to the regulations to facilitate enforcement and compliance.
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