02 October 2015, Lagos – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Navy (NN).
The renewal of the MoU followed the expiration of the old one it signed with NN about five years ago.
The MoU was renewed when the acting Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro paid a working visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Head Quarters Abuja.
NIMASA and NN used the occasion to reiterate their readiness to deepen their collaboration with the aim of providing a safe and secure maritime environment for shipping activities.
While expressing delight at the renewal of the MoU, Jauro reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to renew and strengthen the existing MoU between both organisations.
He commended NN for keeping to the spirit and letters of the MoU which he said has drastically improved safety in the Nigerian maritime domain.
His words: “Having acquired a satellite surveillance system that is capable of monitoring in real time vessel activities in our maritime domain, NIMASA is also committed to the MoU with the Nigerian Navy both of which have the overall aim of making Nigeria a maritime destination of choice for both operators and investors”.
Jauro said the determination of the agency to enhance business activities in the maritime sector by ensuring safety and security also led to a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Global West Vessel Specialists Limited (GWVSL) which was approved by the Federal Government.”
According to him, the mandate of GWVSL is to procure and bunker vessels for NIMASA’s operations, manned by the personnel of the Nigerian Navy on a Supply, Operate and Transfer (SOT) basis for a 10 year period after which ownership of the vessels will revert to NIMASA.
The CNS in his response appreciated the efforts of the management of NIMASA in the past eight years since the MoU was first signed most especially in the areas of training of officers and logistics support to Naval operations.
Throwing light on the use of NIMASA vessels by the Nigerian Navy personnel, Ibas stated that by the provisions of the MoU, “we (Nigerian Navy) provide security, we arm those ships. By whatever means the vessels are acquired, the Nigerian Navy is fully manning those boats and we still do”.
He called for a review of the existing MoU to reflect current realities and to make it more effective and beneficial to both organisations and the country at large.
- This Day
