Boat Mishaps: NIMASA Collaborates NIWA on Maritime Safety Enhancement

…Sets to Begin Registration of Boats, Operators

By DAPO OLAWUNI

In a significant move to boost maritime safety, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a collaborative effort with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop comprehensive safety strategies.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola emphasized the importance of this partnership during an interactive session with maritime media professionals in Lagos on Monday, highlighting the agency’s commitment to reducing incidents of vessel capsizing and ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

This is even as he hinted that the agency through the ongoing review of the NIMASA Act of 2007, would commence registration of small boats and their pilots.

“We are collaborating with our sister agency, NIWA, to come up with strategies to ensure safety both in deep waters and in the areas NIWA controls,” the NIMASA DG stated.

He emphasized that the core mandate of NIMASA is safety, and this collaboration is crucial in achieving that goal. “Safety is one of our core mandates, and I will be judged on it,” he added, stressing the seriousness of the agency’s mission.

“The NIMASA Act of 2007 is being reviewed. In the current NIMASA bill, we have included all of the infrastructures that are operating on the blue water and to some extent in the backwaters as well.

“NIMASA will regulate not only larger vessels but also small vessels and boats operating in our waters.

“A mistake of the past was overlooking the fact that the dangers and menaces in the maritime space are not primarily caused by the bigger vessels. Instead, it is the small boats that people use for piracy, sea robberies, and other illegal activities.

“In the new bill, we aim to ensure that every boat in our waters is regulated, registered, and we know who is piloting it, where they are going, and where they are coming from.
This regulation will be embedded in the new bill to strengthen maritime safety and security” Dr Mobereola stated

The DG further spoke on the importance of utilizing the N50billion modular floating dock acquired by the agency, to generate revenue and create employment opportunities within the maritime sector.

“We want to put the modular floating dock into use as soon as possible, to generate revenue for the country, help develop our cadets, and provide employment for the maritime sector. But we need to do it right,” he remarked, emphasizing the agency’s cautious approach.

Addressing the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the DG pointed out the need for careful planning and execution to ensure the fund’s benefits are fully realized.

“We are looking at opportunities to ensure that when we start to dispose of the CVFF, it will be for the benefit of shipping promotion in Nigeria,” he stated, underlining the agency’s intention to use the fund to develop the sector continuously.

He cautioned against repeating past mistakes, where resources were mishandled and did not benefit the nation or contributing ship owners. “In the past, resources were given to the wrong people, and there was no benefit to the nation or to the ship owners who were contributing.
We would be doing ourselves an injustice if we didn’t consider what is happening now, both in Nigeria and internationally, before we start disposing of the CVFF,” the DG said.

The DG also touched on the importance of providing opportunities for young cadets, emphasizing that proper training and certification are key to their success. “Our cadets speak good English, they are hardworking and intelligent. Once they get the right training and certification, they will excel,” he assured, expressing confidence in the abilities of Nigerian cadets to compete globally.

He also mentioned the strategic importance of ensuring that these cadets are well-prepared for international opportunities.

“The international shipping industry is looking for very good seafarers, so it’s an opportunity for us, but we don’t want to send out half-baked people. We are working hard on it and will do it very soon,” he promised.