…Inaugurates
ICIC Committee
ICIC Committee
 |
| DG NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside |
…IMSOT, UK Team commends
NIMASA
NIMASA
The Director General of the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku
Peterside, has called on the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to ensure
fairness and balance in its reportage of piracy issues on Nigeria’s territorial
waters.
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku
Peterside, has called on the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to ensure
fairness and balance in its reportage of piracy issues on Nigeria’s territorial
waters.
Dakuku regretted what he
called the exaggeration of reports on incidences on the country’s waterways by
the IMB, a specialised department of the International Chamber of Commerce
(ICC) dedicated to fighting maritime crime and malpractice.
called the exaggeration of reports on incidences on the country’s waterways by
the IMB, a specialised department of the International Chamber of Commerce
(ICC) dedicated to fighting maritime crime and malpractice.
The DG made the assertions on
Tuesday in Lagos, when a delegation of the International Maritime Security
Operations Team (IMSOT) from the United Kingdom paid a working visit to the
Agency.
Tuesday in Lagos, when a delegation of the International Maritime Security
Operations Team (IMSOT) from the United Kingdom paid a working visit to the
Agency.
He bemoaned the distortion of
facts in the coverage of Nigeria by the bureau, saying such distortions can do reputation damage to the country within the international community.
facts in the coverage of Nigeria by the bureau, saying such distortions can do reputation damage to the country within the international community.
He observed that even the
slightest crimes in the creeks and habours of Nigeria were often reported as
piracy by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
slightest crimes in the creeks and habours of Nigeria were often reported as
piracy by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
Dakuku stated, “Let me use this opportunity to call on the
IMB to, please, report Nigeria appropriately and appreciate the efforts we are
making to curtail security incidences within our maritime space. Is it in our
laws that we are strengthening, is it investment in intelligence, maritime
security and safety and also the regional collaboration we have engaged in,
among other efforts being made.
IMB to, please, report Nigeria appropriately and appreciate the efforts we are
making to curtail security incidences within our maritime space. Is it in our
laws that we are strengthening, is it investment in intelligence, maritime
security and safety and also the regional collaboration we have engaged in,
among other efforts being made.
“We
have made tremendous progress because we are putting a lot of effort and we are
willing and determined to work with anybody who can assist us to ensure that
the maritime space in Nigeria is safe and secure for everybody.”
have made tremendous progress because we are putting a lot of effort and we are
willing and determined to work with anybody who can assist us to ensure that
the maritime space in Nigeria is safe and secure for everybody.”
The DG noted that the Agency
had put mechanisms in place to reduce piracy to the barest minimum. These, he
said, include investing in the satellite surveillance system, which has the
capacity to view all vessels on the country’s waterways; supporting the
security agencies to acquire assets that will enable them fight piracy and other
maritime crimes; and proposing an anti-piracy bill that, when it becomes law,
will give the Agency the authority to prosecute maritime related crimes, among
others.
had put mechanisms in place to reduce piracy to the barest minimum. These, he
said, include investing in the satellite surveillance system, which has the
capacity to view all vessels on the country’s waterways; supporting the
security agencies to acquire assets that will enable them fight piracy and other
maritime crimes; and proposing an anti-piracy bill that, when it becomes law,
will give the Agency the authority to prosecute maritime related crimes, among
others.
In his words, “Maritime security is multi-sectoral and the
need for collaboration cannot be overstated; hence the reason the Agency has
continuously embraced collaboration with relevant government agencies and
stakeholders with the intent of realising a robust maritime sector in line with
best global practices.
need for collaboration cannot be overstated; hence the reason the Agency has
continuously embraced collaboration with relevant government agencies and
stakeholders with the intent of realising a robust maritime sector in line with
best global practices.
“We
will continue to accord high priority to the issues of maritime crimes so that
we can maximally benefit from the Blue Economy initiative, which is now the
focus in the global maritime space.”
will continue to accord high priority to the issues of maritime crimes so that
we can maximally benefit from the Blue Economy initiative, which is now the
focus in the global maritime space.”
Dr. Dakuku further assured
the IMSOT delegate that the Agency was willing to collaborate with them and
share ideas where necessary, all on purpose to grow Nigeria’s maritime sector.
the IMSOT delegate that the Agency was willing to collaborate with them and
share ideas where necessary, all on purpose to grow Nigeria’s maritime sector.
In his own remarks, the IMSOT
team leader, Leigh Smith, commended NIMASA for its efforts to maintain security
on the country’s territorial waters and high sea. He urged continuous
collaboration in the areas of technology and information sharing. “We will work together with NIMASA and also
share knowledge together; all with the intent of ensuring security in the
global maritime space,” he said.
team leader, Leigh Smith, commended NIMASA for its efforts to maintain security
on the country’s territorial waters and high sea. He urged continuous
collaboration in the areas of technology and information sharing. “We will work together with NIMASA and also
share knowledge together; all with the intent of ensuring security in the
global maritime space,” he said.
A major highlight of the
visit was the inauguration of the International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) Code Implementation Committee (ICIC) by the DG. He asked the committee
to ensure there was a remarkable difference in the next one year through their
actions, the rules and regulation set, and collaboration with other
stakeholders.
visit was the inauguration of the International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) Code Implementation Committee (ICIC) by the DG. He asked the committee
to ensure there was a remarkable difference in the next one year through their
actions, the rules and regulation set, and collaboration with other
stakeholders.
“I
trust that you will give your best to this assignment; it is about the
reputation of our country, our sector, our ports, the shipping companies, those
who do business with us and our stand in the face of the international
community,” the DG said.
trust that you will give your best to this assignment; it is about the
reputation of our country, our sector, our ports, the shipping companies, those
who do business with us and our stand in the face of the international
community,” the DG said.
The ICIC is a committee
chaired by NIMASA, the Designated Authority for the ISPS Code initiative. It is
made up of various government agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Police, the
Department of State Services, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian
Customs Service, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), among others.
chaired by NIMASA, the Designated Authority for the ISPS Code initiative. It is
made up of various government agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Police, the
Department of State Services, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian
Customs Service, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), among others.
They are charged with the responsibility of working out modalities for the
implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria.
implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria.
