The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh said the agency has recently taken delivery of two more Ballistic Enforcement Vessels, which according to him brings the total number such vessels available to NIMASA to seven.
The NIMASA Boss, Dr Jamoh announced this through his X-handle (formerly twitter). He added that the delivery of the boats would further improve maritime safety administration in Nigeria.
In the short message, Dr Jamoh said, “I am delighted to announce that we have taken delivery of two more Ballistic Enforcement Vessels, bringing the total number available to NIMASA to seven.
“These 8-passenger Ballistic Vessels have a cruising speed of 25 Knots and a tank capacity of 1,800.
“Our capability to discharge our mandate as an Agency is better enhanced, leading to improved maritime safety administration in Nigeria”
Jamoh administration at NIMASA has been working round the clock to ensure a holistic transformation of the Federal Government agency.
Meanwhile, Jamoh, has charged the management of the University of Lagos to develop academic curriculum in the maritime studies that will drive the blue economy in Nigeria.
He made this request during a courtesy visit by the management team of the university led by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola. Jamoh said the agency was committed to the development of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) located in UNILAG.
He urged the UNILAG management to develop and implement a five-year action plan to make the Institute of Maritime Studies in the University the epicenter of research for the repositioning of the Blue Economy as the leading contributory sector of the nation’s economy. This he said is due to the vast maritime potential Nigeria is blessed with.
“In the next four to five years, both NIMASA and UNILAG should be able to boast of important research milestones achieved by the Institute of Maritime Studies leading to recommendations and action plans geared towards the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
“Considering the fact that maritime is global by nature, the Institute should also have an international focus with students from other African countries welcomed, in order to broaden the scope of learning and thereby positioning Nigeria as a hub for maritime education as well”, Jamoh said.
The NIMASA boss also called for the harmonization of all sixteen (16) Memoranda of Understanding which the Agency has signed with universities in Nigeria, to serve as a guide for the IMS in UNILAG.
On her part, the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogunsola, assured the NIMASA Management of the University’s commitment to sustaining standards by intentionally changing the narrative of maritime education in Nigeria.
While appealing for the Agency to complete the UNILAG-IMS building project, the UNILAG VC said they will embrace partnerships with local and international parties to ensure UNILAG becomes a formidable force in the Maritime space through developing and grooming the right capacities, driving relevant research, ensuring proper certification, securing industry engagement and facilitating exchange opportunities for students, for global relevance”.
The UNILAG-NIMASA Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) building is one of six projects sited across each geopolitical zone of the country by the agency to provide suitable manpower requirements for the contemporary maritime industry, through comprehensive theoretical and practical maritime training.
