Emmanuel OchayiThe Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to reopen its Lokoja office in a strategic move to harness the potential of the Blue Economy, foster collaboration, and promote Research and Development (R&D).
This announcement came from the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, during a meeting with Mal. Usman Hayatu Mazadu, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA).
Dr. Jamoh emphasized the pivotal role of research in unlocking Nigeria’s maritime resources, stating, “The key cardinal principle of opening the NIMASA Lokoja office is to improve on Research and Development.”
“Our goal is to establish the nexus in maximizing the use of available resources in the nation’s inland waterways and the deep blue waters within 28 states, spanning over 4000 kilometers of inland waters and over 200 nautical miles of ocean resources; with the coming of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.”
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He further stated, “Now, the Blue Economy has come to stay and very soon you will see the impact of what we have; in terms of the gains and benefits to grow our Gross Domestic Product, while improving the well-being of our own Economy.”
Mallam Usman Hayatu Mazadu of KADSEMA commended NIMASA for its accomplishments throughout Nigeria and expressed his agency’s willingness to cooperate with NIMASA in various potential areas. He also highlighted KADSEMA’s readiness to support NIMASA’s initiatives.
The reopening of the NIMASA Lokoja office is seen as a significant step towards furthering Nigeria’s commitment to developing its Blue Economy and enhancing the maritime sector’s contributions to the nation’s GDP.
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