L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR; Member, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Mpigi Barinda and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Sunday Karimi during an Oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to NIMASA in Lagos.
The bill to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA Act has passed the first reading on the Floor of the Nigerian Senate. Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun announced this in Lagos during a working visit by the committee to NIMASA. Eshinlokun said the Senate of the tenth assembly is committed to formulating policies that will ensure Nigerians benefit from the blue economy.
The Committee Chairman who pledged that the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio is committed to supporting the maritime sector, in line with the vision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR called for constructive evaluation of the existing maritime laws to ascertain gaps for possible review.
Let me inform you that the bill seeking amendment of the NIMASA Act has passed first reading on the floor of the Senate. I have to say on behalf of my colleagues that we are with you on this journey, and we will not hesitate to support your vision, in as much as such is geared towards enhancing the potential of the maritime sector for national growth and development. With the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by Mr. President, a message has been passed to all stakeholders that the maritime industry has a huge role to play in our nation building. We must align with the vision of the President, and we must support the government to achieve a better country for all Nigerians.
- Sani said.
The Committee members unanimously acknowledged NIMASA’s investment in acquisition and building of a strong safety and security architecture, reiterating that such effort was a confirmation that NIMASA was conscious of its mandate and strategic status as one of Nigeria’s major contributors to the country’s sustainable development. Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the Committee, commended NIMASA Management for progress made over the years.
I have visited this Agency over the years, and must note that much progress has been made over the years. You have done very well,
- he stated.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, said the Agency is committed to both human capacity and infrastructural development to grow the Nigerian Blue Economy.
His words;
NIMASA is working tirelessly to secure our waters and by extension, the Gulf of Guinea. The time has come for us as a nation to build on the recent gains in the area of safety and security of our waterways. Be rest assured that NIMASA is utilising appropriated funds judiciously, evident in our investment in infrastructure. We will continue in the direction President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pointed with the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
