The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) have deepened their cooperation to achieve sustainable security in the country’s maritime domain.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who paid a working visit to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos, acknowledged the efforts of the agency in implementing both national and international regulatory instruments to improve safety and security in the maritime domain.
He said the collaboration between both agencies of government will achieve a common goal of better securing the nation’s maritime domain, thus promoting an enabling environment for businesses to thrive with a multiplier effect of improved contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) from the maritime industry.
Ogalla said the role of the Navy as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is to coordinate the enforcement of all maritime laws associated with Nigeria.
He assured that the Nigerian Navy under his leadership is committed to supporting NIMASA to succeed.
The Chief of the Naval Staff also commended NIMASA’s implementation of the Cabotage Act and the C4i center of the Deep Blue Project.
He said the Navy will also improve its support for the Cabotage regime to succeed, adding that the NIMASA C4i center, which is a maritime domain awareness facility, is useful to the Nigerian Armed Forces including the Nigerian Police.
On his part, the NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, acknowledged the role the Nigerian Navy has played over the years in supporting the agency to implement her mandates.
Mobereola assured the Navy of the continuous support of the agency, noting that it will be to the overall benefit of the country.
He also assured the CNS that the agency would look into more areas of partnership with the Navy, while also seeing the possibility of reviewing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties.
“Nigeria’s attainment of zero piracy report in recent times is a result of the support of the Navy. Security is key to unlocking the nation’s maritime potential, as a well-secured maritime domain will be a catalyst to attract foreign investment into Nigeria. On the MoU, we are with you in reviewing it and making it more effective, taking into consideration the reality on the ground. We want to sustain our zero piracy status,” he stated.
