From right: Director, Special Duties (External Relations and Technical Cooperation) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, and representative of the NIMASA DG, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi makes a presentation to Nigerian Ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe Gambo Yusuf Hamza as part of the agency’s technical support to the country.

In a bid to deepen region cooperation and integration, especially within the Gulf of Guinea region, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has provided technical support to Instituto Marito e Portuaruo IMAP in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Director General of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who made the presentation at an event in São Tomé in company of Nigeria’s Ambassador to São Tomé, Ambassador Gambo Hamza, noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to regional maritime development hinged on cooperation.

Represented by the agency’s Director Special Duties, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, Jamoh s it has become imperative for African countries particularly in the Gulf of Guinea to help one another to ensure proper harnessing of the regional maritime potential.

“Currently, it has become very pertinent for African countries to continue to collaborate and strengthen their relationships; helping one another in their areas of need for us to harness the vast opportunities we have to the best of our abilities. Particularly in the maritime sector, the Gulf of Guinea is one area where that is most needed as encouraged by the International Maritime Organisation IMO”, the DG said.

Furthermore, he said: “Evidences in the past have shown that when nations and organizations work together, each bringing in their vast areas of strength, they tend to develop faster and grow their economies better.”.

On his part Nigerian Ambassador to São Tomé, Ambassador Gambo Yusuf Hamza commended the management of NIMASA, adding that the recent achievements in the Gulf of Guinea has improved the image of Nigeria in the country.

He stated further that considering that no nation can singlehandedly tackle transnational crimes such as piracy and trafficking in arms, it has become expedient for cluster of nations across the world to cooperate, join resources and fight criminal elements in our waterways.

He commended NIMASA’s leading role in the fight against piracy and to ensure the safety and security of the waterways in the region.