Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is collaborating with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to advance infrastructural development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
During a recent meeting in Lagos, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA’s Director General, hosted Dr. Jobsom Ewalefor, the ICRC’s leadership. Mobereola emphasized the Commission’s vital role in attracting private investors to enhance the country’s maritime infrastructure.
He stated, “We are grateful for the ICRC’s responsiveness. The maritime sector requires significant capital investment, and government funding alone cannot meet our infrastructure needs. We need the ICRC to help create Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models that will appeal to both domestic and international investors.”
Mobereola also highlighted the importance of streamlining processes through technology, expressing confidence that the ICRC’s support would enhance NIMASA’s PPP initiatives, leading to more effective service delivery for stakeholders.
In his remarks, Ewalefor acknowledged the maritime sector’s crucial role in Nigeria’s economy. He noted that implementing the PPP model would bring in increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating growth in the maritime industry. He reassured NIMASA of the ICRC’s commitment to collaborating on projects to ensure timely implementation.
“There is no time to lose; our nation requires substantial funding for infrastructure, and we must create an environment where activities can flourish. The focus should be on service delivery rather than immediate revenue generation—if we provide quality services, people will be willing to invest,” Ewalefor stated.
The PPP model has proven to be an effective approach worldwide for implementing government policies that foster development and economic growth. As Nigeria’s regulatory agency for maritime affairs, NIMASA has continuously embraced collaboration and partnerships through the PPP initiative to drive progress in the maritime sector.
