NIMASA Eyes Total Compliance on ISPS Code

The ultimatum goal of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is complete compliance to the provisions of the key codes of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said.

The IMO which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom believes that with the full execution of the ISPS Code by member states, there shall be no security breach to any person, vessel or facilities in any maritime domain across the globe.

Apparently not pleased with the present level of compliance on ISPS Code in the country, Peterside said the agency which remains the designated authority (DA) in Nigeria will not rest on its oars until it attain total compliance on the implementation of the code.

Peterside who spoke at the opening of the 5 day advanced drills and exercises workshop organised by NIMASA in conjunction with IMO for ISPS Implementation Officers stated that the agency is committed to increasing the compliance level from the present 90 percent to 100 percent.

The NIMASA helmsman who was represented at the event by the agency Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed said that the agency realizes the importance of capacity building towards the successful implementation of the code hence, the need for frequent training of the enforcement officers in order to acquaint them with the current rudiments of implementing the code.

His words: “It is no secret that we have made giant strides in ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria. We do not wish to rest on our laurels as the zeal to acquire 100 percent compliance in all port facilities can only be achieved if the officers are technically equipped and updated on international standards required for ISPS Code Implementation”