By Citybusinessnews@yahoo.com —
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reinvigorated its operations and activities.
Under the leadership of Dr Bashir Jamoh as Director General, NIMASA has hinged it renewed growth trajectory on Maritime Security, Safety and Shipping Development (3S) as part of measures to support sustained development of Nigerian economy.
Already, NIMASA is projecting to generate up to N1billion in revenue from its multimillion-dollar floating dockyard, which is currently idling away in Lagos State.
Briefing Journalists recently on his first 100 days in office, Dr Jamoh reiterated NIMASA’s resolve to prosecute with effect from the week alleged pirates under new law.
Jamoh, with his Executive Directors while briefing journalists on his scorecard explained that the agency is ready to deliver on its core mandate.
On security, Jamoh said a total of 27 alleged pirates were apprehended in the last three months. According to him, 17 are in the custody of the Nigerian Police, while 10 were arrested by the Nigerian Navy in Collaboration with the agency and they are facing prosecution in accordance with the anti-piracy law.
Making reference to Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF), Jamoh said: ”I Have just been appointed the Chairman of the CVFF disbursement committee by the Minister of Transportation. We are working to disburse the CVFF, before October, we will disburse the first leg of the fund to beneficiaries ”
On the floating Dock, the NIMASA boss said: “We have been discussing with the Managing Director of NPA to move our floating dock from its present location at the Naval Shipyard to the Continental Shipyard owned by the NPA. Though, we found out that there is an existing joint venture partnership between NPA and another company managing the authority’s dockyard but because of our own floating dock, the NPA decided to move its dockyard to somewhere in Snake Island, and the NPA is also winding up its joint venture agreement with the company as we speak.” .
Jamoh said NIMASA has also signed a memorandum of understanding with international oil companies (IOCs) that are doing business with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be taking patronize the floating dock when it becomes operational.
He stated that NIMASA would be filling in an application with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to approve the public private partnership (PPP) arrangement for the management of the dock.
Jamoh said NPA would come in as the owner of the Continental Shipyard, NIMASA as the owner of the floating dockyard while an independent player would be the technical managing partner.
He said the agency in the past three months has been receiving several commendations for its strict fight against piracy, sea robbery and other illegalities on the waterways as well as the entire Gulf of Guinea region.
“The major problem of maritime security is lack of platforms. That is why NIMASA is investing heavily in the acquisition of special intervention vessels, special mission aircraft and helicopters that are due to arrive in August (2020) and January 2021 while some are already in Nigeria,”
On the commencement of the Deep Blue Project, Jamoh said over 85% of the project has been achieved. According to him out of the 17 Special Mission Vessels ordered, 14 have arrived, the armoured vehicles are ready, two Special Mission Aircraft are expected in October, while the three Special Mission Helicopters ordered are expected to arrive in January 2021.
Based on this, Jamoh said the agency went to ground zero in terms of platforms and equipment to fight piracy. But he assured with the arrival of these platforms the agency is set to battle criminality in Nigeria waters and generate more revenue, emphasising also that, the Deep Blue Project will provide training and employment to the teaming Nigeria youths.
Jamoh who spoke on sundry issue said the only aspect of the project remaining now is the training of personnel that will man the platforms. He blamed the delay on COVID-19 pandemic.
