NIMASA says Navy partnership working for maritime security

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it has deepened its partnership with and the Nigerian Navy to provide a safe and secure maritime environment for shipping activities.

The Acting Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro emphasized this during a courtesy call to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Wednesday.

“Having acquired a satellite surveillance system that is capable of monitoring in real time vessel activities in our maritime domain, NIMASA is also committed to the MoU with the Nigerian Navy both of which have the overall aim of making Nigeria a maritime destination of choice for both operators and investors,” a statement by the spokesperson, Hajia Lami Tumaka quoted Jauro as saying.

The DG said the determination of the agency to enhance business activities in the maritime sector by ensuring safety and security also led to a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Global West Vessel Specialists Limited (GWVSL) which was approved by the Federal Government.

He noted that the mandate of GWVSL is to procure and bunker vessels for NIMASA’s operations, manned by the personnel of the Nigerian Navy on a Supply, Operate and Transfer (SOT) basis for a 10 year period after which ownership of the vessels will revert to NIMASA.

Responding, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas advocated for a review of the existing pact to reflect realities and to make it more effective and beneficial to both organisations and the country at large.

“We (Nigerian Navy) provide security, we arm those ships. By whatever means the vessels are acquired, the Nigerian Navy is fully manning those boats and we still do,” Admiral Ibas said.