Michael James
07 February 2918, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The United States Coast Guard, USCG, has expressed satisfaction at the compliance level of Nigeria with the International Ships and Ports Security, ISPS, facility Code at the nation’s ports, saying the country was on the right track.
A delegation from the USCG, led by . of the International Port Security, IPS, Liaison for USCG in West and Central Africa and Europe, was recently on a two-day visit to some of the ports in Lagos.
According to the delegation, there has been a lot of improvements in the nation’s port as a result of the security architecture put in place.
Hopper commended the feat achieved by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, which is the Designated Authority, DA, for the code in Nigeria and the level of expertise and knowledge demonstrated by NIMASA personnel during the visit.
While describing the NIMASA team as very resourceful, he charged the agency not to rest on its oars in ensuring total compliance to the issues relating to safety and security at the ports.
Earlier, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, commended the USCG for continuous support and noted that his agency remained committed to the ideals of international best practices in carrying out its mandates.
The NIMASA boss, who was represented by the Executive Director, Operations, of the agency, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the goal of NIMASA was to attain 100 per cent compliance with the ISPS Code and it remained open to all forms of collaboration with stakeholders, both locally and internationally, geared towards making Nigeria a maritime hub in Africa.
“Let me commend your support to us over the years and tell you that it has kept us on our toes, thereby assisting us achieve this feat you have noticed today. We also seek your continuous partnership; because for us in NIMASA, it is work in progress and we remain open to all forms of partnerships that can assist us reach our desired goals,” the director general stated.
He informed the team that NIMASA has successfully updated the Global Integrated Ship Information System, GISIS, since 2017, and called for an update by the US Port Security Advisory, PSA, as it still displays 2013 information about Nigeria.
