Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla paid a working visit to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, in continuation of efforts to deepen the cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the Agency to achieve sustainable security in the Nigerian maritime domain.
Speaking during the visit, Vice Admiral Ogalla acknowledged the Agency’s efforts in implementing national and international regulatory instruments to improve safety and security in the maritime domain, adding that the Nigerian Navy under his leadership is committed to supporting NIMASA to succeed.
“I want to appreciate NIMASA for the collaboration with the Nigerian Navy which is to achieve a common goal of better securing the Nigerian maritime domain, thus promoting an enabling environment for business to thrive with a multiplier effect of improved contributions to the Gross Domestic Product from the maritime industry. Our role as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is for the Navy to coordinate the enforcement of all marital laws associated with Nigeria. We will support you at NIMASA to succeed,” he said.
The Chief of the Naval Staff also commended the Agency’s implantation of the Cabotage Act and the C4i center of the Deep Blue Project.
He said: “I acknowledge the efforts of NIMASA in the implementation of the Cabotage Law for the benefit of indigenous players in the industry. We will also improve our support so the Cabotage regime can succeed. The NIMASA C4i center, which is a maritime domain awareness facility, is useful to the Nigerian Armed Forces including the Nigerian Police. I will visit the facility today and our focus is better cooperation and information sharing.”
On his part, the NIMASA DG Dr. Dayo Mobereola acknowledged the role the Nigerian Navy has played over the years in supporting NIMASA to implement her mandates.
Dr. Mobereola used the opportunity to assure 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 the Navy and NIMASA.
The NIMASA DG said: “Your visit today personally to NIMASA is a confirmation of your commitment to the NIMASA/Nigerian Navy collaboration. I must acknowledge the role of the Nigerian Navy in the NIMASA journey so far. Nigeria’s attainment of zero piracy reports in recent times is a result of the support of the Navy.
“Security is key to unlocking the nation’s maritime potentials, 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 ground. We want to sustain our zero-piracy status.”
The NIMASA boss also hailed the recent addition of 20 nautical miles to Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, stating that it calls for more responsibility for both the Navy and the Agency.
