In continuation of its drive to ensure cleaner oceans and safer environment in the Nigerian maritime space, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed commitment to the green environment initiative, which is a global strategy to ensure that our environments are free from all forms of pollution.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who disclosed this when he played host to members of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) led by its President, Mr. Dada Thomas, stated that the Agency is changing the narrative by strictly adhering to the NIMASA’s enabling legislations, which is primarily to ensure safety standards and compliance in line with global best practices.

Speaking further, the NIMASA DG said that “we appreciate the fact that cleaner fuel is the way forward if we want our environment to be clean; as part of our strategy to achieve this, we need to collaborate with relevant organisations like the Nigerian Gas Association amongst others.”

While stating that the issue of climate change is a global phenomenon, which is of concern to the international community, he assured that NIMASA on its part will continue to lend its voice in support of the advocacy, which will further guarantee a safer and secured business environment.

Dr. Peterside also assured the executive members of the NGA that the Agency is open to all forms of partnerships that can help the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. “As our nation is committed to diversification, gas remains untapped; hence you can count on NIMASA in this advocacy drive”, the DG said.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Dada Thomas, stated that the mission of the association is to partner with NIMASA and other relevant industry players in the oil and gas sector.

He also stated that with the abundant quantity of gas in Nigeria, we should never have issues with power generation, stressing that gas is being used all over the world as a major source of power generation and Nigeria should not be an exception.

While acknowledging NIMASA’s role in the shipment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas, he stated that the Agency has an impact on the efficiency and the way gas business is carried out in Nigeria. He therefore used the opportunity to call on NIMASA to join the association on its mission of achieving its four-point agenda namely: advocacy, promotion of gas investment in Nigeria, promotion of best practices in line with global standard and promotion of a resource centre.

It may be recalled that part of the mandate as enshrined in the NIMASA Act is environmental management, which involves safety of species, organisms and all forms of resources inherent in the maritime environment. NIMASA has the sole responsibility of regulating and promoting activities in the nation’s maritime domain.

•Photo shows the President, Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Dada Thomas, presenting some literature to the DG NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, when members of the Association paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Lagos.

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