*Praises INTELS, Atlantic Shipyard
Barely three months after his appointment as the director general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temi Omatseye has paid a working visit to the high profile Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne port, Rivers state where he expressed surprise at the level of investments and development that is going on in the port.
Specifically, the NIMASA boss who was accompanied by his three executive directors visited the expansive premises of two of the zone’s foremost operators: West Atlantic Shipyard and Integrated Logistics Services (INTELS).
Apparently interested in the extent to which the federal government’s policy on level local content, the NIMASA helmsman was taken aback when he was conducted round the facilities of the ship yard.
The DG and his entourage were conducted round the different segment of the company operations by its production manager, Mr. Serge Dreau, who showed the delegation vessels of different sizes were at different stages of completion.
At the jetty, the NIMASA boss and the executive directors: Mr Adeniran Aderogba, Mr Ibrahim Zailani and Mr Ishaku Shekarau were taken on board a completed and floated vessel, they also undertook an extensive tour of the passenger vessel.
According to the production manager of West Atlantic Shipyard, the company which started business of building aluminum boats in 2004 on a 60,000 square metre expanse of land has so far trained about 300 staff in various fields. It prides itself as being the only in that kind of business in the entire West African sub-region.
Explaining the potentials of the shipyard further, Mr Dreau disclosed that the company has largest floating dry dock of about 7000tons and 110 metres length in the entire African continent.
An obviously impressed DG of NIMASA promised necessary support for the company particularly under the Cabotage Act, saying that the company has shown uncommon commitment and capability and therefore needs all the support the government can give.
“This unprecedented achievement of note came on the heels of the Federal Government’s relentless drive for foreign investment to diversify the economy from its dependence on monolithic income base”, he stressed.
It was the same commendation spree when the Director General and his entourage arrived at the ultramodern terminals of INTELS where they were received by the acting General Manager, Mr. Sascha Kuehl and top management staff. They were conducted round some of the port facilities as well as on-going projects.
Obviously impressed by the level of investments and port development, Mr. Omatseye also commended the management of
INTELS for what he called unprecedented developmental strides of port facilities, the completed expansion of the FLT3 which is 376metres quay apron and FLT4, which also has 376metres quay apron, the completed seven- story ultra modern new head office complex at the port that is due for official commissioning shortly as well as the water treatment plant amongst others
He specifically commended the company for its safety standards.
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