Vincent Toritseju
17 September 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — – There are indications that a collaborative maritime administration platform is underway in Africa as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, says discussions to that effect have commenced.
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the director general of NIMASA, who stressed that regional collaboration was key to developing Africa’s maritime sector, hinted that Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya were preparing for collaboration in several areas of maritime administration.
He stated: “We cannot walk this journey alone; partnership is crucial to achieving a robust economy. The beauty of partnership is that everyone brings their expertise to the table where ideas are shared and considered as a way forward to achieving a particular goal; it is not only here in Nigeria, it has become a global trend and this is what AAMA (Association of African Maritime Administrations) seeks to achieve for the continent.”
He noted that NIMASA was in discussions with the maritime administrations of South Africa, Ghana and Kenya to acquire and jointly operate a training vessel for cadets.
He said that discussions were still at the early stages, but expressed hope the partnership will be beneficial to the countries involved, adding that the AAMA conference would be an avenue to continue discussions on the proposed agreement.
He disclosed plans for a partnership with the United Arab Emirate on free training of 100 cadets, saying this would support the country as, according to him, the pact provides for the training of 10 cadets per annum spread over 10 years.
During his courtesy visit to NIMASA last week, the chief executive of the Gambia Maritime Administration Agency, Mr. Mustapher Maroung, said the Gambian Maritime has come to learn from the NIMASA and is willing to collaborate with Nigeria for the growth of Africa’s blue economy.