NIMASA, NiMet sign MoU on reports for safety of navigation

Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, setting out areas of collaboration in weather forecasting and climate research.

Director General NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, and his counterpart from NiMet, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu, signed on behalf of both agencies of government.

The MoU is designed as a framework for NiMet to provide meteorological services for NIMASA to improve the welfare of seafarers and safety of navigation of vessels in Nigerian territorial waters in line with recommendations of the International Maritime Organization.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, expressed confidence that the forecast for maritime safety and security through NiMet from NIMASA, would not only improve safety of navigation in Nigerian waters, but will greatly enhance the confidence of the international community in the Nigerian maritime sector.

According to Jamoh, “The objective of the MoU between NIMASA and

NiMet is to enhance the capacity of both agencies with a view to providing relevant meteorological services to seafarers and ocean-going vessels that will allow sustainable development of the marine environment and delivery of products and services to the various sectors related to maritime safety, security, marine environment protection and other maritime activities.”

“It is clear that the collaboration between NIMASA and NiMet will help the maritime sector fill the gaps earlier identified by the International Maritime Organization during its last audit of the country’s maritime space”, he said.