IMO Scribe Backs NIMASA to Develop Transport Policy
The Secretary General, of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Kitack Lim has expressed the commitment of the United Nations (UN) agency to support efforts aim at making Nigeria attain its aspirations in the maritime industry.
Lim who stated this at three-day National Maritime Transport Policy development workshop organized recently by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in conjunction with the IMO said the organization will support NIMASA to develop what he called a sustainable transport system that will reflects and balance the interests of all stakeholders.
The IMO Secretary General who was represented at the workshop by the IMO Head, Africa Section, Technical Cooperation Division, Mr. William Azuh, stated that promotion and development of national policies to guide planning, decision making and relevant legislative actions is an important governance practice of many governments, including Nigeria.
His words: “We will support NIMASA in developing a sustainable maritime transport system reflecting and balancing the interests of stakeholders with a carefully devised and executed maritime transport policy, which is crucial in serving as a fundamental guidance document to provide a long-term sustainable vision for the future of the Nigerian maritime sector”.
Besides Lim, other stakeholders also expressed their readiness to back NIMASA in the development of a sustainable transport policy in the country.
They include the Chairmen, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was represented by the Committee Deputy, Senator Ahmed Ogembe and his Federal House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Umar Bago, represented by Hon. Solomon Adaelu. They reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly’s support to see to the formulation of the policy.
Other are the Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas , represented by Rear Admiral Oshinowo, Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).