The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has urged the members of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to assist the Management of the Agency discharge its mandate optimally.
In his keynote address at the retreat for the Board members on the topic “Integrating the Transport Sector with the Ocean Economy in Nigeria”, the minister called on the members to assist the Management of NIMASA to deliver on its mandate and collaborate with other transportation sectors to build an efficient intermodal system for the country.
Amaechi acknowledged the strategic importance of the maritime industry to global commerce and called on the members of the NIMASA Board to “place NIMASA in an enviable position that would enable the Agency optimally perform its functions and deliver on its mandate. This retreat is therefore expected to strengthen your capacity for the assignment ahead within the tenure of this Board”.
The Minister, represented by Mr. Danjuma Dauda, Director of Maritime Safety and Security in the Ministry, noted that government is committed to a holistic development of the transportation system saying “we must effectively harness the opportunities in the maritime sector in collaboration with other sectors which explains why government is working assiduously towards improving transportation by seamlessly integrating maritime with road, rail and air modes of transportation”.
He commended the Management of NIMASA for initiating the retreat for the members of the Board observing that “as part time Board Members of NIMASA recently inaugurated, it is very desirable that members get acquainted with the Laws and the Act establishing the Agency and be guided by it in the performance of the functions to which you are appointed.
The Minister assured the members that “A sound knowledge of the laws empowering the Agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian Maritime industry will help in addressing the challenges of the sector for maximum economic benefits to the nation”.
In response, the Chairman of the Board of NIMASA, General Jonathan India Garba (rtd) thanked the Hon. Minister and assured him that the Board will work cooperatively with the Management team to reposition the Agency to discharge its mandate effectively.
The members of the Governing Board of NIMASA are in Calabar, the Cross River State capital for a three day strategy retreat.
