Peterside, DG NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has said that the development of critical Infrastructural was very crucial to the growth and development of the maritime industry.

Director General of the agency, Dr. Peterside, who spoke at the official commissioning of the four 60 tonne-Bollard tug boats newly acquired by the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, said that the maritime industry and by extension Nigeria’s economy might not experience the desired growth and development unless the necessary supporting infrastructure were developed.

According to him, this is even more so at a time the Federal Government is diversifying the economy in order to create more jobs and generate revenue

The DG, who was represented by the Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Alhaji Bashir Jamoh, said that the efforts of the management of the authority in developing and upgrading port infrastructure in Nigeria will go a long way in assisting the government realise its agenda and also help plug revenue leakages in this time that the country is trying to get out of recession.

He also disclosed that NIMASA was doing everything within its powers to develop and upgrade the necessary infrastructure in its area of operation.

“You might have read it in the news, but let me also state here that NIMASA will soon take delivery of the 5th largest modular floating dockyard on the African continent”, the DG said emphatically.

It was however gathered that the Dockyard will earn the Federal Government of Nigeria, at least, $100 million dollars annually in the form of direct savings from the dry docking of vessels operating in Nigeria, which are mostly done outside the country at the moment.

He said: “It is our desire to partner the private sector to run the dockyard. This and many more are the initiative the Agency is putting in place to better the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime industry”.

He therefore assured the NPA management of the commitment of the agency to continue to collaborate with the authority and other sister agencies and parastatals in the maritime industry.

This is with a view to ensuring that the agency achieved its mandate of ensuring a safe and secure maritime domain for business activities to thrive in the country in line with global best practices.

Managing Director of the authority, Ms. Hadiza Usman, whole speaking at the event restated the commitment of the current management towards performing all its obligations under the port concession agreement, especially in terms of providing the necessary infrastructure.