NIMASA, Navy To Partner On Blue Economy
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Navy have inaugurated a Committee to establish ways in which the synergy between both organs of government can be channeled into creating a welcoming environment for investment in the Blue Economy. Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA Osagie Edward, in a statement said, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC West), Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, who inaugurated the 8-Man Committee charged them to come up with policies to create a welcoming maritime environment for investment in the Nigerian Blue Economy. Membership of the 8-Man Committee includes on the Navy side, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, FOC, Western Naval Command; Cdre K.O. Oguntuga, Commander NNS Beecroft; Cdre N.S. Kaman, COO Western Naval Command and Capt. A. U. Tijani. The Committee members representing NIMASA namely, Director Deep Blue Project, Chief Otonye Obom; Head Shipping Development, Kurahson Inuwa; Head, ISPS, Isa Mudi; and Deputy Director, Cabotage Services, Aisha Usman Dangote. You will recall that the Agency’s Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, during a visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Navy to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos recently, had announced the constitution of an 8-Man committee, comprising four each from the Navy and NIMASA.
FG proposes creation of national shipping carrier to revitalise maritime sector
The Federal Government is committed to revitalizing the maritime sector in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to enhance the welfare of Nigerians. During a recent facility tour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) Headquarters and various centres in Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, outlined his vision for the sector. Oyetola emphasized the need for transformative measures in the maritime industry to position Nigeria as a major player. One of his key recommendations is the establishment of a national carrier through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to facilitate freight transport within the country. Notably, Nigeria stands as the only member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) without a national shipping line flying its flag. The Minister highlighted that creating a national carrier would help eliminate the burden of the 30% freight charge associated with chartering vessels. However, he clarified that his call for a national line should not be confused with advocating for the revival of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). Furthermore, Oyetola expressed interest in NIMASA’s Modular Floating Dock, recognizing its potential to generate employment opportunities and curb capital flight. He urged the agency to engage stakeholders to support this initiative. Addressing the potential of the Blue Economy, the Minister underscored that Nigeria, with one of the world’s largest wetlands, is well-suited for coastal tourism development. He also committed to exploring opportunities in fishing and other sectors to stimulate economic growth. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of NIMASA, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for establishing a dedicated Ministry for the Maritime sector. This move has long been advocated by stakeholders and Nigerians. With the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, Nigeria joins seven other countries worldwide with standalone Blue Economy Ministries. Jamoh assured that this development positions NIMASA to elevate Nigeria’s global maritime presence.
NIMASA registers 8,014 seafarers in 30 months
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has revealed that a total of 8,014 seafarers were registered in 2021, 2022, and the first six months of 2023. A statement by NIMASA Assistant Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, stated that 24 MLC, 2006 certificates were issued in the year 2021, 49 MLC, 2006 certificates issued in the year 2022 and 63 MLC, 2006 certificates have been issued in the year 2023 (January-July). “Thus, a total of 8,014 seafarers have been registered from 2021 to 2023 (Jan-July) and 136 MLC, 2006 certificates issued after inspections within the same years. “Moreover 65 stevedoring companies, 26 terminal/jetty operators and 1,395 dockworkers have been registered from 2021 to 2023 (January-July). “NIMASA under the current administration led by Dr Bashir Jamoh, have placed 3,705 seafarers on board Cabotage vessels in the year 2021, 7,238 seafarers placed in 2022 and 1013 placed in 2023 (Jan – July). Overall, a total of 11,956 Nigerian seafarers have been placed onboard Cabotage vessels from January-2021 to July- 2023. “Resultantly, 539 Nigerian seafarers have been recommended for replacement in the first quarter of 2023,” NIMASA said. According to the Agency, in December 2022, it sent forth 235 Nigerians to India and Greece as Batch B of the 435 young Nigerians are expected to be trained as Licensed Deck and Engine Officers including Naval Architects under the Agency’s Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) with an additional 200 having been previously sponsored for overseas training under Batch A. The NSDP was initiated in 2008 with the sole mandate of training Nigerian youths to become seafarers and Naval Architects in fulfilling one of its cores in the area of Maritime Capacity Building. The programme was designed to train Nigerian youths up to Degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) abroad and to position them to compete effectively in the global Maritime Industry as a means of developing the Nigerian maritime space. Speaking at the time, the NIMASA Director General Dr Bashir Jamoh, had noted that the Agency was working with countries who are committed to an understanding for mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency, CoC, and that had underpinned the selection of the chosen Institutes to train the beneficiaries. “It is also noteworthy that the Agency has succeeded in providing sea time for all beneficiaries of the NSDP. This implies that the bedrock for young Nigerians to earn foreign currencies and improve remittances to the country has been set by the Agency,” he said. The NIMASA spokesman further said that “One of the cardinal principles of the Cabotage regime is the localization of manning vessels operating in Nigerian waters. To a considerable extent, NIMASA has ensured the placement of Nigerian seafarers on board Cabotage vessels in line with its placement function and the provisions of the Cabotage Act, 2003. “Improving on this, Cabotage manning applications are now processed on the condition that all foreign crew especially Ratings on board vessels are to be replaced with Nigerian seafarers/cadets within two-three weeks of operations.”
Oil Rig Incident: NIMASA dispatches search and rescue team
In line with the mandate of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, which includes safe shipping and cleaner oceans, a team comprising of Search and Rescue and marine accident investigation officers have been dispatched to the scene of an incident involving the Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State. Assistant Director, Public Relations of NIMASA Osagie Edward, in a statement on Wednesday evening stated that “initial findings has confirmed that the ill-fated Rig is Panama Flagged and has been operating on Nigerian waters since 2016 without requisite approvals from the Agency. “The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed where it was been towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State. “NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the scene of the incident. “In addition, the Agency is in communication with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incident within 24 hours in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007,” the statement read.
NIMASA moves floating dock to new Dolphin Jetty
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)’s floating dock would be moved to its new site by a Nigerian-registered company, Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited. The floating dock will be moved from the Naval Dockyard to the waterfront of the Dolphin Jetty at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dockyard which used to be the Continental Shipyard. Mr Danny Fuchs, the Managing Director, Melsmore Marine Nigeria Ltd, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday in Lagos. Fuchs said they were committed to executing their project. “Our job is to move the Modular Floating Dock from the present location to the waterfront of the Dolphin Jetty at Apapa. “THSD SEA LION which occupied the leased area at the water front have vacated the jetty now. We have a commercial understanding with NIMASA on how to execute this project,” he said. He noted that they had submitted a feasibility study taking note of the mooring system required to anchor the modular floating dock at the Dolphin jetty. Fuchs said the mooring system supplied by the manufacturers of the modular floating dock was made up of two steel piles of 36 meters length, two meters in diameter and a weight of roughly 48 tonnes each. He said these massive piles need to be driven about 20 meters into the seabed, adding that they would bring their expertise to bear in carrying out the project. “We also hope to invite the manufacturers, Damen Shipyard, to join forces in achieving this relocation project,” he said. While addressing the officials of Melsmore, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, emphasised the need for them to review the action plan in the light of realities on ground with detailed deliverables, and key performance indicators with clearly stated timelines. “Nigerians eagerly await the deployment of the modular floating dock. This is a national asset, which has potential to boost maritime trade, create jobs, develop skills, by providing training avenues to various maritime training institutions in Nigeria. “It will also attract foreign investment and prevent capital flight, thereby generating revenue,” he said.
Modular Floating Dock: NIMASA takes over continental shipyard
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has taken over areas leased to it by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at the Continental Shipyard for the operations of the Modular Floating Dock. The areas include: the Dolphin Jetty, Waterfront of the jetty adjourning the slipway, an administrative block, a construction, welding and mechanical workshop and a civil maintenance workshop, among others. During the ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the handing over of the Continental Shipyard to NIMASA marks the final lap in the quest of the Agency to deploy the modular floating Dockyard. The Director General, who was represented by the Head, Public, Private Partnership, PPP, Unit Mr. Kabiru Diso assured stakeholders that the Modular Floating Dockyard would soon be deployed since all grey areas between NIMASA and the NPA have been cleared. “The Modular Floating Dockyard is a national asset and now that all grey areas between the NPA and NIMASA have been addressed, we are very close to the deployment of the Modular Floating Dock. Our goal is to domicile dry-docking of vessels in the country thus saving the nation foreign exchange currently expended on dry-docking vessels outside the shores of Nigeria. The floating dock will also provide both direct and indirect employment to Nigerians with a multiplier effect on capacity development,” he said. The Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), had issued a certificate of compliance for an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the operation of the floating dock, while also describing it as bankable and sustainable. The modular floating dock, which has the capacity to handle up to 10,000 Metric Tons vessels, would be run on a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
Auctioning of FG’s Properties: Reps to probe NPA, NIMASA, others
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe what it regards as the illegal auctioning of Federal Government properties by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Others agencies allegedly involved are: the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) This is sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun) during plenary on Thursday in Abuja. In his motion, Oke said the procedure for the disposal and auctioning of government assets in Nigeria was well spelled out in Financial Regulations, 2009 and Public Procurement Act 2007 among others. Oke said the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that all revenues realised from the disposal or auctioning of public property be remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He alleged that NPA, NIMASA, NRC, NCS and others RBDA had been auctioning public property not only at a ridiculous price but also without following due process. He advanced that partial remittance or non-remittance of revenue realised from the auctioning of public property into consolidated revenue fund was a breach of the constitution. He expressed concerned that if the practice continued, coupled with dwindling crude oil revenue in Nigeria, the government might not cope with the rising demand for accelerated infrastructure Following his submission, the House thereafter resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the disposal of public property by the affected agencies. This, according to the House, would cover the period between 2010 and 2022 with a view to establishing the extent of the alleged illegal auctioning of public property and the non-remittance of revenue realised into the consolidated revenue purse. The committee would report to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
NOGOF 2023: NIMASA calls for review of freight terms
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has urged stakeholders to consider a change of trade terms in the Oil and Gas sector from the Free on Board (FOB) to the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) model. Speaking at the 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NIMASA DG, said policies of the current administration at the Agency are tailored to complement efforts of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to grow the Nigerian economy through the Oil and Gas sector. In a statement, Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, Jamoh, who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Cabotage Services, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa, said the efforts of the NCDMB at helping in the development of the indigenous maritime sector had not gone unnoticed. He said: “We appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board at growing the indigenous maritime sector, such as the proposed Brass Shipyard. We at NIMASA will continue to strive for the development of our maritime sector by pursuing policies that will ensure the indigenous capacity is grown, which in turn will impact on our fleet expansion to position them to be able to participate in the affreightment of the products”. Speaking on opportunities for indigenous businesses in maritime, he had this to say, ‘I want to reiterate that we must also create a suitable and sustainable business and investment environment that will afford indigenous operators’ opportunities to participate in the oil & gas industry with a view to accelerating Nigeria’s income for the Oil Industry which in turn will impact our GDP”. On his part, Executive Secretary of NCDMB Mr. Simbi Wabote, charged firms operating in the sector to prepare themselves adequately, restating that the oil and gas industry is highly technical and does not compromise safety and standards. In his words, “If someone gives you projects he intends to execute in the next two years; Nigerian companies, having listened to the opportunities, should go back and continue to build their capacities in readiness to actively participate.” He also challenged relevant agencies to address the worrisome security challenges, particularly oil theft in the Niger Delta, as this would enable the production of hydrocarbons at reasonable costs and profitability.
Maritime Safety: FG launches enforcement boats, others
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has inaugurated the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) enforcement boats, ferries, clinics, and administrative buildings to boost the maritime domain. Sambo, during the inauguration in Lagos, said that the projects were part of the Federal Government’s commitment to good governance and institutionalized policies for an economic renaissance. He added that the projects reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to achieve and sustain safe, secure shipping and cleaner oceans. “The projects will also enhance maritime capacity in line with the best global practices towards Nigeria’s economic development,” he said. Sambo said the inaugurated five state-of-the-art enforcement platforms would ensure strict compliance and adherence with the extant laws governing the operations of Nigeria’s maritime domain. “These platforms will give NIMASA the much-needed tools required to function as a maritime administration in line with the protocols and conventions of the International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation. “Additionally, we shall be commissioning four staff ferries meant to increase the overall efficiency and productivity of the staff of the agency. “This is to create a more conducive means of transportation to and from official assignments, thereby bypassing the hassles that are associated with the operational terrain of the ports,” he said. Other projects inaugurated by the minister include five new patrol/security boats, five refurbished search and rescue/pollution control boats, four staff ferries, a search and rescue clinic, and an administrative building. Sambo said that as the supervisory ministry, it would continue to give support to NIMASA to ensure the growth of maritime in Nigeria. Earlier, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of NIMASA, in his address said the new assets and building showed the Federal Government’s relentless and persistent commitment in the fight against maritime crime aimed at strengthening the Blue Economy. Jamoh said that the Blue Economy was pivotal to the growth and development of the maritime and the nation in General. He urged the officers that would be assigned to utilise the boats to bear in mind that they are national assets and to make the best use of them by ensuring proper maintenance.
Mu’azu Sambo inaugurates NIMASA Abuja office, tasks staff on productivity
The Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo, has urged members of staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to double their efforts to ensure improved service delivery and economic development. Sambo gave the advice while inaugurating the new NIMASA Abuja Liaison office. He said that establishing a permanent Zonal office for the agency was imperative because of its strategic role in the sector. “Apart from the reduction of cost of governance, the New Abuja Zonal Office will serve as the centre piece of government relations on matters with bilateral and multilateral implications on international trade and cooperation. “It will enable the agency to host foreign diplomats and other key maritime stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory, thereby helping the agency to speedily achieve its mandate. “All these led to the acquisition of the office and served as further proof of the growth in capacity of NIMASA due to its deepened role in Nigeria’s economic development,” the minister said. While expressing the ministry’s commitment to NIMASA and all other departments under it, Sambo said this project was a pointer to its determination in that regard. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for approving the procurement of the office, the NIMASA Chief executive and all who made the project a reality. Sambo thanked everyone who contributed to the realisation of the project, saying more of such projects would subsequently be inaugurated in the country Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, thanked the minister and the Federal Government for ensuring the acquisition of the state-of-the-art edifice. Jamoh said the project signaled the agency’s commitment to providing conducive, favorable and supportive working conditions to boost staff productivity. The Director-General said,” Today’s ceremony is just one more step in living up to what the world has come to expect from us. “If we train our staff internationally, we must provide them with a working environment that matches with those international standards. “This edifice reflects management’s commitment to providing a world-class working environment in addition to the recently reviewed and improved conditions of service for all employees. “With this investment, we have taken things up and made them top-notch by providing support, infrastructure environment, regarding safety and security.’’ He, however, pledged NlMASA’s commitment to ensure a culture of maintenance to extend the lifespan of the building.