The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has urged the people in Niger Delta region to embrace peace, security and sanity to grow the economy.

Peterside issued the appeal on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting between the management of NIMASA and stakeholders held in Warri, Delta State.

The Director-General, who is from the Niger Delta, said that there was need to address insecurity in the region for business to flourish.

He assured that the management of the agency would not relent in its core functions of safety of vessels and personnel on Nigerian territorial waters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Petersdie as saying: “Presently, over 2,000 Nigerians are undergoing training in seafaring.

“We recorded few piracy attacks this year compared to last year as a result of Nigeria’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) code due to the activities of NIMASA.

“If the Nigerian waters were safe, that would encourage more vessels to come into the

country. We must acknowledge that NIMASA is working very hard to achieve its mandate.”

Peterside said that NIMASA will be operating in Warri and Koko ports electronically to put a stop to human interface.

He said that his management visited Delta State for three functions: Checking the state of Warri and Koko ports; interacting with members of staff to know their challenges; and to also monitor the operations of stakeholders.

The NIMASA boss urged stakeholders to have a change of attitude in doing things, adding that NIMASA is concerned with the enforcement of the Cabotage Act.

His words: “If the Cabotage Act is properly implemented, it will override oil and gas or work side by side with oil and gas in terms of revenue generation.

“All the people using flagged vessels to trade in our waters should have a rethink because the end has come as NIMASA has zero tolerance for any vessel flouting our laws.

“There is a new lease of life in NIMASA and the maritime industry is full of opportunities. We invite those who may not know to come and join us.”

In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Central Zone of NIMASA, Capt. Kunle Olayiwola, said the Central Zone has 77 staff.

He said: “There are five central zonal operations offices such as Ports Office in Delta Port, Maritime Safety Office in Warri; Cabotage Enforcement Office in Sapele; Escravos Office in Oporoza town; and Maritime Labour Service located in Delta.

“Being the first Director-General to visit the zone, we have assurance that we have not been forgotten and abandoned by you. You have rekindled the hope of staff by giving them the opportunity to interact with management. The zone needs attention to reposition it for higher productivity.”

Mr Dickson Unogu, a stakeholder and a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), urged the management of NIMASA to dredge the channel in Warri Port to allow bigger vessels to berth.

A staff of Shipping and Dredging Root Services, Mr Obioma Ochulo, urged NIMASA to engage in electronic operations to reduce the burden of staff coming to Lagos for clearance.

Other stakeholders commended NIMASA’s effort and urged the agency to collaborate and synergise with the Niger Delta region to improve on their development.

•Photo shows NIMASA DG, Dr Dakuku Peterside.

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