11 February 2016, Lagos—Following its resolve to ensure cleaner and safer waters for navigation, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated its commitment to tackle the menace of marine litters in the Nation’s territorial waters.
Creating a friendly marine environment is one of the core functions of the agency just as it assist local operators to enhance their capacity.
Disclosing this at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos, Acting Director General of the Agency, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro said that marine litters have become a menace which must be tackled with all seriousness.
Jauro who was represented by the Director of Maritime Labour Services, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa said that management of the marine environment remains a critical component of ensuring safe and secure shipping adding that NIMASA will continue to implement relevant IMO instruments in line with the Agency’s mandate.
At the meeting organised under the auspices of the United Nations Environmental Programme Global Partnership Action (UNEP-GPA), the agency boss noted that the regulating agency will continue to partner with UNEP with a view to ensuring that the scourge is tackled on a continuous basis.
According to Mrs Gunwa, who once headed the Marine Environment Management department of the agency, said that NIMASA will, in the next few weeks commence the clearance of litters from the waters.
- Vanguard
