The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, reemphasizes Nigeria’s commitment to Maritime Safety and Security even as the United States Coast Guard (USCG)offers to partner Nigeria on the removal of the Condition of Entry (CoE)
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has offered Nigeria a three-year plan to work with the Agency for the removal of the Condition of Entry (CoE), placed on American-bound vessels from Nigeria. This announcement was made recently by the USCG headquarters in Washington DC, United States of America
In a media statement from NIMASA issued by Osagie Edward, FNIPR, the Head, Public Relations, the agency said Cdr. Juliet Hudson who is at the USCG headquarters in Washington DC disclosed the removal of the CoE during a peer review visit by a delegation from NIMASA, where Hudson announced a bi-annual assessment of compliance level with the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) Code implementation at Nigerian Ports.
She said, “We will work with NIMASA to review the compliance level of Ports in Nigeria with the provisions of the ISPS Code. This will be done twice a year to enable us update the Port Advisory Security Portal in the White House after which a decision will be taken to completely lift the Condition of Entry. We commend NIMASA for ISPS implementation and please deliver this award to your DG.”
As NIMASA celebrates the USCG announcement, its Director General Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR on Friday, February 9, 2024, also received in audience, USCG Advisor, Lt. Benjamin Montz who led a delegation to NIMASA. Jamoh stated that the Agency would continue to prioritise safety and security on the Nigerian waterways in order to realise the mandate of the Blue Economy.
While acknowledging the support from the American Government in seeing to the implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria, the NIMASA DG requested that any support to Nigeria should be extended to other countries in the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr Jamoh said that Nigeria plays a vital role in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), hence the call on the USCG to extend support to countries in the GoG region in order to consolidate the gains of the Deep Blue Project in the region, whilst also bolstering the existing ties in the region.
Jamoh said, “Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the Gulf of Guinea, you will agree with me that most of the activities in the region revolves around Nigeria. We acknowledge the support you have been giving us, we request that you extend it to other countries in the GoG, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and all credit goes to the United States Government”.
Speaking further, the NIMASA boss called on the USCG to assist in the area of training the Agency’s personnel, noting that a gap analysis will be done, and then synchronised with the USCG in order to give the right training to the right personnel.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation from the USCG, Lt. Montz said that the team was in Nigeria as part of their plans to support the Agency in the area of training, while also collaborating with NIMASA to improve safety and security in the country’s maritime sector, with particular reference to port operations in Nigeria.
NIMASA is the designated authority responsible for the implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria. Over the years, the Agency has continued to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve its mandate, with the USCG providing the required support and assistance towards the realisation of safer and more secure waterways in Nigeria, and by extension the Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, Jamoh has assured of NIMASA’s commitment to upholding world-class standards.
This assurance came as the agency launched its Service Charter, renewing its performance bond in the service of the country, the maritime sector, and its stakeholders.
Already, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has commended the agency management for its commitment to improving service delivery in line with the direction of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata, commended NIMASA for embracing technological advancements, and modernizing its operations, thereby improving its productivity and fostering sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
He also congratulated NIMASA on its Service Charter, calling it “a testament to NIMASA’s dedication to providing world-class service to maritime stakeholders and fostering an environment that encourages sustainable growth in the Marine and Blue economy.
“This Charter is not just a document, it symbolizes a renewed commitment to service excellence, responsiveness, and continuous improvement within NIMASA. The Service Charter represents a public bond by NIMASA, to provide high-quality, efficient, and transparent services to stakeholders in the maritime industry and the general public.
“It is also a tool for accountability that sets out clear expectations for stakeholders and provides a mechanism for the Agency to measure its performance,” the minister said.
The Minister recalled that the Agency had recently entered into a Performance Bond agreement for Ministerial Deliverables with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He said, that among the three Management Scorecard Priorities outlined in the MDA Performance Management System (MPMS) is the ‘Service Wide Priorities’ which is aimed at enhancing service delivery throughout the maritime sector.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, assured that the committee would work closely with NIMASA to provide maximum cooperation in appropriating funds for the Agency to achieve its objectives.
He urged NIMASA as a matter of urgency, to adhere to all service provisions, to become the best in Africa and the world by extension.
On her part, the National Coordinator SERVICOM Office, Presidency, Nnenna Akajemeli, noted that NIMASA is now a model in service delivery and the SERVICOM office in the Presidency has now made NIMASA a reference Agency for others in the country.
She said, “Let me inform you all that we at the SERVICOM office in the Presidency are proud of the achievements of NIMASA in terms of Service delivery.
“The NIMASA Customer Experience Center is now a model we recommend to all other Agencies of government in Nigeria. We actually advise them to visit the NIMASA Experience Centre and replicate the same so the connectivity between the Government and the people can improve”.
In his welcome address, the DG NIMASA, Dr. Jamoh, stated that the Service Charter was a significant milestone in the Agency’s journey to improve on her commitment in redefining service delivery.
According to Jamoh, “Service-Redefined, encapsulates our commitment to transforming the way we serve our stakeholders, the maritime community, and the Nigerian people as a whole.
“It reflects our dedication to elevating the standards of service delivery, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture of excellence within our organization. Our Service Charter outlines our promises to all those who interact with NIMASA, whether they are Ship Owners, Seafarers, Port Operators, or members of the public.
“It sets clear standards for the quality of service they can expect from us, and establishes mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement”.
