From left: Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Chudi Offidile, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Jibril Abba, Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director General, ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh and Executive Director Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Adeyemi during a courtesy visit by the ICRC management to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has proposed the adoption of Public- Private Partnership PPP model in order to develop and boost the country’s maritime infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ICRC, has pledged to partner NIMASA as part of efforts to develop and boost infrastructure in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Speaking when he played host to the Director General of ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, who was on a working visit, Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola emphasised the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“We appreciate the management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure. We need the ICRC to develop PPP- based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.

“There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders”, Mobereola said.

Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, who agreed with the NIMASA DG’s position, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy. He noted that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Additionally, he stated that the ICRC is prepared to engage with the Agency on its projects and ensure timely execution.

“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC- boss noted.

All over the world, the PPP model has proven to be most viable approach for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth. As a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administration, NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.