- Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Chudi Offodile (left), Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and Executive Director Operations, NIMASA, Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, during the CNS’ courtesy visit to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos…recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
As part of efforts to deepen cooperation towards achieving sustainable security in the nation’s maritime domain, heads of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have agreed to review and improve their extant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
During his working visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, acknowledged NIMASA’s efforts at implementing national and international regulatory instruments to improve safety and security in the maritime domain, adding that the navy was committed to supporting the agency to succeed.
“I want to appreciate NIMASA for the collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, which is to achieve a common goal of better securing the Nigerian maritime domain, thus promoting an enabling environment for business to thrive with a multiplier effect of improved contributions to the Gross Domestic Product from the maritime industry,” Ogalla said.
“Our role as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is for the navy to coordinate the enforcement of all marital laws associated with Nigeria. We will support you at NIMASA to succeed.”
On the Cabotage Act and the C4i Center of the Deep Blue Project, the CNS stated: “I acknowledge the efforts of NIMASA in the implementation of the Cabotage Law for the benefit of indigenous players in the industry. We will also improve our support so the cabotage regime can succeed.
“The NIMASA C4i center, which is a maritime domain awareness facility, is useful to the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the Nigeria Police. Our focus is better cooperation and information sharing.”
On his part, the NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, acknowledged the navy’s support to NIMASA over the years in implementing its mandates and the institution of the agency’s continuous support, in the nation’s overall benefit.
He also assured the CNS that the agency would look into more areas of partnership, and the possibility of reviewing the existing MoU with the navy, adding: “Nigeria’s attainment of zero piracy report in recent times is a result of the support of the navy.
“Security is key to unlocking the nation’s maritime potentials, as a well-secured maritime domain will be a catalyst to attract foreign investment into Nigeria. On the MoU, we are with you in reviewing it and making it more effective, taking into consideration the reality on ground. We want to sustain our zero piracy status.”
He commended the recent addition of 20 nautical miles to Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic zone, stating that it calls for more responsibility for both the navy and NIMASA.
