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IMO Scribe Commends Nigeria's Maritime Security Efforts

By Anne Ejuka

L-R: DG NIMASA,  Dr. Dayo Mobereola (left), and Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, during a meeting at the IMO headquarters in London.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, has commended Nigeria for leading the charge to maintain the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly during recent times when the situation in the Red Sea has led to heavier shipping traffic in the region.


Arsenio Dominguez stated this during a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at the IMO headquarters in London, also commended the NIMASA DG for engaging the technical team at the IMO on how Nigeria can address all identified gaps from the 2016 audit conducted by the organization.


L-R: D G NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez; and Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Olaleken Badmus, during the meeting 

According to a press release issued by Mr. Edward Osagie, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of NIMASA, the Secretary General in his words said, “I want to appreciate the effort of Nigeria on the progress made so far as regards security in the Gulf of Guinea region. There were concerns due to the situation in the Red Sea and resultant pressure around the gulf of Guinea but we are pleased that the situation has remained the same. We at IMO have been working with Nigeria through NIMASA and we desire that the partnership continues.” I am also happy that you, DG,  are meeting with IMO technical staff on how to close all identified gaps before the next audit cycle. This is a step in the right direction and we are ready to give any technical support”. He stated.


Arsenio Dominguez also stated that IMO is working on enhancing the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) to provide better services to member states in terms of information management.


R-L: Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative (APR) IMO,  Barr. Hassan Abubakar; Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Olaleken Badmus; Secretary General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez; DG NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Nigeria’s APR-IMO, William Bwala; Director of Marine Environment Management at NIMASA, Heaky Dimowo; and Deputy APR-IMO, Olufemi Adetimirin, during the meeting 


On his part, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, declared that his administration will pay attention to details on how Nigeria can become a voice to be reckoned with in global maritime diplomacy, he added that Nigeria is committed to sustaining the momentum of recent achievements in safety and security within the maritime domain.


In his words, “My tenure will leverage existing relationships both locally and internationally to sustain the momentum in safety and security within the Nigerian maritime domain. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria by Mr. President emphasizes the policy direction of this administration. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria plays an active leading role not just in the region or the IMO, but in the global maritime space".


Speaking further, he noted that his meeting with IMO technical staff was aimed at ensuring that NIMASA and the IMO are aligned before the next audit cycle.  "I discovered today that some critical information regarding our administration and the technical team at the IMO is obsolete, and we are reviewing it to update it immediately. We do not see the IMO audit as an examination but rather as a guide to assist Nigeria in achieving its potential; hence, my decision to get personally involved. We need to get the basics right”. He stated. 


R-L: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director of Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Olaleken Badmus; and others at a plenary session during the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at the IMO headquarters in London.

He also announced that the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has constituted a committee to address all areas of concern raised in the 2016 IMO audit report. This includes reviewing NIMASA's enabling laws and effectively implementing a corrective action plan. 


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