IMO Election: Nigeria seeks return to Council

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-IMO commends NIMASA on result of Member State audit scheme result

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside in a friendly chat with the IMO Secretary General Mr. Kitack Lim while the Nigerian Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO Mr. Dikko Bala looks on at the dinner hosted in honor of the Nigerian delegation at the IMO headquarters in London on Tuesday.

Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His
Excellency, George Oguntade, has assured the international maritime community of
the commitment of the Federal Government to enhanced security on Nigerian
waters.

This was as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside, announced
Nigeria’s quest to return to Category C of the IMO Council at an election
scheduled to take place later this year.

He stated this at the dinner hosted in honor of a
delegation from Nigeria at the headquarters of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) with the Secretary General Mr Kitac Lim leading other
Permanent and Alternate Representatives to the dinner which also had the
Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration,
Honorable Linda Ikpeazu in attendance.

Ambassador Oguntade who also doubles as Nigeria’s Permanent
Representative at the IMO, said that the
Nigerian government is committed to providing conducive environment for
business in the Nigerian maritime sector to thrive.

He noted that the Global Maritime Security
Conference Nigeria has committed to host from 7th – 9th October this year, is
another show of assurance to talking issues that may hinder business in the
Nigerian maritime sector.

The DG NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, while announcing
Nigeria’s quest to seek election back to Council noted that Nigeria has done
enough to merit a return to council at the IMO.

“Nigerian is willing and prepared to play more regional
and international roles to the global maritime community but that would only be
possible with your support. Let Nigeria contribute from within Council to the
growth of the maritime sector globally. Let us contribute significantly to the
work of the IMO,” Dakuku said.

While acknowledging the fact that Nigeria is a
beneficiary of IMO technical support, the NIMASA DG noted that the issue of the
Anti Piracy Act in Nigeria took firm root from the technical support that was
provided by the IMO.

He also disclosed that Nigeria has ratified 40 IMO
Conventions and domesticated 19 with plans to ratify and domesticate 6 more in
the very near future, adding that Nigeria topped the chart on Port and Flag
State Administration in West and Central Africa sub-region.

Speaking on the Global Maritime security conference
scheduled for Abuja in October, Dr Dakuku disclosed that over 70 countries have
so far indicated interest to be part of the conference which is to provide both
short and long term solutions to the security issues in the region.

“To further address the issue of insecurity in the
region’s maritime domain, Nigeria will host the 2019 Global Maritime Security
Conference from the 7th to 9th of October in Abuja. With 12 thematic sessions,
it is our hope that the conference will rise with the ‘ABUJA DECLARATION’ on
ending insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

Assistant secretary general of the IMO, Dr. Lawrence
Barchua, who spoke on behalf of the Council, noted that a review of the report
on Nigeria Member State shows availability of both human and infrastructural
capacity in country for Nigeria to be a leading maritime nation.

Nigeria’s strategic location in the heart of the sub
region makes it the access route and gateway of main stay shipping. We are glad that the federal government of
Nigeria is making conscious efforts to address the security issues in the
region.

“Having read the Member State Audit report on Nigeria, it is clear that
the country has what it takes to be a leading maritime nation,” he concluded.