Headlines
Modesty in success: NIMASA declines credit for reduction in piracy on Nigerian waters
—-attributes feat to joint efforts of stakeholders Eyewitness reporter In what appears as being modest in success, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has refused to take personal credit for the decline of piracy on Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea but rather, ascribing the feat to collaboration among various organs of Government in Nigeria, Governments in the region and stakeholders from within and outside the country. Dr Jamoh, who stated this while receiving the management of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Channel 10 in Lagos, noted that the success in fighting piracy in Nigeria is a combination of many factors, which has seen the entire gamut of security architecture working together to achieve a common goal. “Our joy is that Nigeria has exited the piracy list and the progress is steady. No single organization can lay a total claim for the success. “The Presidency is playing a major role by providing direction, the Armed forces are playing their role as enshrined in the constitution, and NIMASA is playing its role by being an effective Maritime Administration with the Deep Blue Project as a focal tool. ” The National Assembly who gave us the SPOMO Act and the Judiciary who have now ensured maritime crimes are punished in Nigeria should also get credit”, he said.
Dr Jamoh also acknowledged the support from the international maritime stakeholders as key to the success in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea”. According to him, the international conglomerates, including the major oil marketers, International Tanker owners, INTERTANKO, and the International Cargo Owners, INTERCARGO amongst others who are part of the joint industry-working group, which has now metamorphosed into the SHADE Gulf of Guinea, also deserve some credit. Furthermore, the NIMASA helmsman disclosed that two of the Agency’s Global Maritime Distress Safety System, GMDSS, located at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, RMRCC in Kirikiri Lagos and Takwa Bay are now fully functional. ”We have greatly enhanced the safety of navigation of vessels on our waters, every vessel within the Nigerian territorial waters and even beyond can easily access our GMDSS. “The ones in Takwa Bay and Kirikiri are now fully functional, while the other three stations located in Oron, Bonny and Escravos are almost ready to commence full operations. “These are some gaps identified in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency by the IMO during its last IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) and we are closing these gaps”. he said. Commenting on the suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Related Offences SPOMO Act, which now serves as a model for other countries in the Region, Dr Jamoh noted the need for harmonization of laws to ensure uniformity of purpose in prosecuting maritime offences within the region. “Other countries in our region are now in the process of enacting laws similar to our SPOMO Act. ” This is the time for us to ensure harmonized Maritime Laws in the Gulf of Guinea to ensure criminalities in the maritime sector are prosecuted easily within the region, thus no safe haven for criminals in the region”. Dr Jamoh also noted that NIMASA decided to engage the Naval Dockyard to repair the Agency’s patrol boats as part of efforts to deepen inter-Agency collaboration with the Nigerian Navy. Earlier, the leader of the delegation and the General Manager, NTA Channel 10, Engr. Olusegun Osinowo commended the efforts of the Jamoh-led administration in its quest to realise a robust maritime sector, while also pledging the continuous support of the media in educating the public on the activities of the Agency. “With this feat, it is evident that President Buhari did not make a mistake in his choice of appointing the DG of NIMASA”, he said. |
Headlines
NIMASA opens investigation into vessels collision accident at Bonny anchorage as five crew members sustain injuries
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The accident which occurred on May 20th, 2026, has triggered a flurry of activities, has resulted in an oil spill in the affected area.
Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.
The management of MAERSK has officially reported the incident to the Agency.
In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.
Dr. Mobereola, who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room, also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.
NIMASA promised to update the public with the outcome of the investigation into the incident.
Headlines
NIMASA deepens maritime security as 492 Deep Blue personnel graduate in tactical training.
Headlines
WHO honors NFVCB over tobacco control in entertainment industry
Headlines3 months agoThe rise of Olatunji Disu: From Aide-De-Camp (ADC) in 1999 to IGP in 2026
- Headlines3 months ago
NRC plans electric rail operations across the country- Opeifa
- Headlines3 months ago
NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Sarat Braimah, wins Nelson Mandela Pan African Leadership Award
- Economy3 months ago
Nigeria’s Oil exports face threat as US- Israel attack on Iran escalates, Strait of Hormuz blockade imminent
- Headlines3 months ago
Lekki Port boosts Nigeria’s trade surge as NPA releases 2025 operational performance
- Customs3 months ago
Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor
