Dayo Mobereola, director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said his administration will commit to expediting action on the automation of the nation’s ship registry.
He said the move will boost shipping development, enhance efficiency, and streamline processes to drive ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Speaking during a recent interactive session with maritime stakeholders in Lagos, Mobereola said his leadership in NIMASA will focus on inclusivity policy to give equal access to opportunities to all stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy wants all stakeholders to partner with the government in developing the maritime sector.
“It is important that we develop clear objectives, goals, and strategies to advance the industry and align with the vision of Mr President and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. While the agency will continue to play its part in serving the industry, it is important that we all collaborate to achieve a sustainable maritime sector,” he said.
Earlier, Emmanuel Iheanacho, a former minister of the Interior and chairman of the occasion, described Mobereolas as a seasoned and accomplished maritime professional.
He said Mobereola’s experience will be invaluable in driving the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
He expressed optimism that under the agency’s current leadership, Nigeria would make significant strides in promoting ship safety, shipping development, maritime security, and environmental sustainability in our waters.
Iheanacho said that Mobereola’s dedication to capacity building will position Nigeria as a key player in the global maritime industry, adding that stakeholders are willing to collaborate with him to move the sector forward.
“We expect the DG to be fully aware of the impact of technological developments in the Marine and Blue Economy industry, to guide in the formulation of policies. We look forward to working together with you to address the challenges ahead and to seize the opportunities that lie before us”, Iheanacho said.
In his presentation titled ‘Marine and Blue Economy: Navigating to the Promised Land,’ Emeka Akabogu, a maritime lawyer, proposed various reforms including policy and agenda verification, enhanced data, and technology utilisation.
He also listed others as minimum industry standards, deliberate recruitment of professionals, empowerment protocols, creating standard shipping development courses, and ensuring accountability measures for NIMASA and the industry as a whole.
He said there is a need for routine meetings based on clear identifiable milestones to drive accountability and progress for the sector.
On her part, Vicky Haastrup, chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), called for the training of dockworkers to enable them to deliver on their role in the port sector.
Adewale Adeyanju, president general of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), who supported Haastrup’s position, said there is also a need to ensure a decent work agenda, in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
Aminu Umar, who spoke on behalf of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, said there is a need for further discussions and interactions regarding the international advancements in the maritime industry.
He urged the Director-General to consider the independence of the ship registry as observed in other maritime countries.
Speaking on behalf of the women’s associations, Tosan Emore-Edodo advocated for increased participation of women in the industry and called for support in promoting advocacy efforts.
