NIMASA mulls plan to review maritime security agreement with Navy

Dayo Mobereola, director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the agency is considering reviewing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Navy.

Speaking during the visit of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of the Naval Staff to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos, Mobereola said the idea was to look into more areas of partnership with the Navy.

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He assured the Navy of the continuous support of the NIMASA towards the overall benefit of the country.

“Your visit has confirmed your commitment to the NIMASA and Nigerian Navy collaboration. Nigeria’s attainment of zero piracy reports in recent times is a result of the support of the Navy. Security is critical to unlocking the nation’s maritime potential as a well-secured maritime domain will be a catalyst to attracting foreign investment into Nigeria,” the NIMASA DG said.

He commended the recent addition of 20 nautical miles to Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone and described it as a call for more responsibility for both agencies.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of the Naval Staff, said there is a need to achieve sustainable security in the Nigerian maritime domain.

Ogalla acknowledged the efforts of NIMASA in implementing both national and international regulatory instruments to improve safety and security in the maritime domain.

He said the Nigerian Navy under his leadership is committed to supporting NIMASA to succeed.

“Our collaboration with NIMASA is to achieve a common goal of better securing the maritime domain, thus promoting an enabling environment for business to thrive with a multiplier effect of improved contributions to the Gross Domestic Product from the maritime industry. Our role as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is for the Navy to coordinate the enforcement of all maritime laws in Nigeria,” he said.

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He lauded the Agency for the stride recorded toward implementing the Cabotage Act for the benefit of indigenous ship owners.

While pledging that the Navy will improve support for the Cabotage regime to succeed, he said, the focus is to have better cooperation and to enhance information sharing.