Emmanuel OchayiThe Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has hailed the role of collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in achieving milestones in maritime security within Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
This acknowledgment was made during a meeting held at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, where Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, and a delegation of senior Naval officers were received.
Dr. Jamoh emphasized the impact of the joint efforts, stating, “Collaboration with the Nigerian Navy is largely responsible for the confidence of stakeholders in the current Management of the Agency.”
He highlighted the global interest in adopting the Nigerian model, citing Brazil and neighboring countries like Ghana seeking insights into their successful partnership.
READ ALSO: Blue Economy Is For Every Nigerian, Offers 350m Jobs – NIMASA
“From over 26 piracy incidents to no single piracy incident in Nigerian waters for almost two years now, this success is a result of effective collaboration,” Dr. Jamoh added, expressing his determination to further strengthen this relationship.
Furthermore, the NIMASA head articulated the agency’s commitment to promoting policies that leverage the Blue Economy for the benefit of Nigerians. He underscored the significance of security as a priority for progress in maritime activities, advocating for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, particularly for fishing, with a significant role envisioned for the Nigerian Navy.
The announcement of an eight-man committee, comprising representatives from both the Navy and NIMASA, to facilitate the transition from Crude to Blue Economy, accompanied the discussions. This move follows the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Nigeria.
Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan commended NIMASA for its support and emphasized the necessity of sustained information sharing between the agency and the Nigerian Navy. He urged for support for ‘Operation Water Guard’ to combat smuggling activities around the Badagry channel.
Additionally, the FOC West advocated for enhanced collaboration regarding the Deep Blue assets, requesting further integration and information sharing between the Western Naval Command and NIMASA’s C4i center.
Highlighting the potential of Tongeji Island, an oil-rich island between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, for maritime tourism, Dr. Jamoh pledged NIMASA’s cooperation with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to explore possibilities in this area.
Tongeji Island, which is approximately 55 minutes from Badagry in Nigeria and 5 minutes from Porto Novo, is rich in resources and offers a promising avenue for maritime tourism development.
The Assistant Director of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, affirmed these discussions, shedding light on the agency’s commitments towards fostering collaboration and advancing Nigeria’s maritime security and Blue Economy initiatives.
Follow Us