Headlines

NIMASA scales up maritime safety operations

Bashir Jamoh, DG, NIMASA

—as port state, flag state administration rebounds

Eyewitness reporter

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) have scaled up its functions in the port state and flag state administration in a bid to enhance security and safety in the maritime industry.

As a fallout from the resurgence in the operations of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of NIMASA, has announced an increase of 43.6% in the condition survey for flag registration by the agency in the year 2021 as against the performance in the year 2020.

NIMASA also recorded an improved Port State Control (PSC) implementation in the year 2021 with 24.2% higher than the PSC inspections of the year 2020.

Dr. Jamoh, who disclosed this during a media interactive session in Lagos at the weekend, noted that despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the NIMASA ensured improved Port and Flag State Administration in accordance with the safety requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.

A breakdown of the figures shows that in 2020, the agency carried out a condition survey of vessels under flag registration for 276 vessels, while in 2021, the figure increased to 489, representing a 43.6% improvement.

Port State Control implementation by NIMASA in the year 2021 was assessed onboard 673 vessels which was a marked improvement on the 510 Vessels Boarded for Port State inspection in the year 2020, representing a 24.2% increment.

Jamoh also disclosed that the agency reactivated the online portal for stakeholders to verify Nigerian Certificates of Competency( CoC) from any part of the world.

“The online certificate verification platform was reactivated last year to reduce falsification of Nigerian Seafarers Certificate and enhance the employment of Nigerian Seafarers.

“We experienced the rejection of Nigerian Seafarers both locally and internationally and the agency decided to introduce the online certificate verification platform which allows shipowners to easily authenticate CoC’s from the comfort of their electronic devices.”

While raising concern over the percentage of failures recorded for Nigerian seafarers who sat for the Certificate of Competency examination last year, Dr. Jamoh announced that the agency has commenced investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the trend with a view to addressing it holistically.

In the year 2021, NIMASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the Maritime Transport Coordination Center (MTCC), for capacity development to address the need for reduction of Green House Gas emission in the maritime industry with emphasis on achieving 0.5% Sulphur Oxide in Bunker fuel.

“Our laboratory is already completed and we hope to enter a public-private partnership arrangement this year to manage the laboratory for optimal utilization.

The agency also carried out 20 marine accident investigations in 2021, as against 18 in the year 2020, while also enforcing safety regulations on barges and tugboats under the code name; Operation Sting Ray.

The NIMASA helmsman, who was giving the scorecard of his administration in the past one year, revealed further that the agency took delivery of more Deep Blue Project Assets, which was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, adding that some of these assets have been deployed to the Nigerian Navy for its operational use.

Accordingly, he said “the agency is collaborating with major international stakeholders in the maritime sector in other to entrench coordinated response to piracy and other criminalities on the Nigerian waters and prompt reportage and escalation of marine incidences to where the action is most expected and to provide navigational advisory to mariners”, Jamoh added.

Speaking further, he noted the agency’s commitment to improved strategic collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army and the office of the National Security Adviser.

This move, Jamoh noted, has helped to reduce piracy attacks off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, as there was no single attack on Nigerian waters in the 3rd quarter of 2021, as reported by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Dr. Jamoh also disclosed that the Deep Blue Project is enjoying international support as the Korean Government has donated a vessel to support the project.

He also disclosed that the Regional Maritime Awareness Center (RMAC), is being upgraded to SEA VISION to allow for monitoring of vessels along the West and Central Central Africa Region.

In a related development, the NIMASA DG also hinted that the agency’s contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government, increased from figures hovering around 31 billion in 2020 to about 37 billion in the year 2021.

Dr. Jamoh used the opportunity to appreciate the media for their objective reportage and constructive criticism which he said is good for the industry and Nigeria as a whole.

He further assured that in 2022, the agency would consolidate on the gains of the past years, with improved collaboration with all stakeholders in the industry, aimed at utilizing ocean-based resources for the good of the Nigerian economy

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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.

In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.

Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.

Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.

Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.

According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.

During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.

He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.

Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.

Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.

He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.

The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.

The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.

The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.

Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”

He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.