NIMASA ENGAGES MARITIME MEDIA

By Okey IROEGBU 

In a move to better the dwindling relationship between the  Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the newly appointed Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola called for an interactive session with the Maritime Media men on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The interactive session also looked at some issues that are detrimental to the growth of the over talked about Blue Economy. The Director General in his opening remarks encouraged the pressmen to feel free to air their views on issues that will assist the federal government to diversify on non oil sector for a change in revenue earnings. He said that the parley was for information gathering more especially on Blue Economy for the benefit of the nation. On his contribution, Chief Timothy Okorocha thanked the Director Genjeral for this initiative to creating a healthy relationship between the media and the agency. He was quick to remind the DG that the relationship has not been fair to the journalists who were not given a fair share on stake. Reiterating on welfare to the members of the third estate of the realm. He condemned the paltery appreciation from the agency despite the concerted efforts of the press to project their activities to the public. He advised the agency to revisit the issue of training and retraining of journalists who report the agency. Finally, he regretted that the tenure of Dr. Bashir Jamoh did not encourage matters at all. Other members of the maritime media, more especially those regarded as the elders and veterans in the industry contributed meaningfully among which is Dr. Edomi Ovie. In his submission, he pleaded to the DG to tow the good example of Dr. Hassan Bello whose role in the maritime industry as regards the recognition of the press is yet unbroken by the captains of the industry. He advised the agency to strenghten the research department for information gathering. He regretted the unprofessional conduct of the staff on issues of dissemination of vital information that may be very useful in the line of a journalist working on a report. One other interesting contribution was from Mr. Funsho Olojo who talked on ther issue of CVFF which has remained controversial on whether the fund is still intact and demanded to know what is holding the disbursement. He advised the DG to write his name on the sands of time by resolving the overflogged issue of CVFF. Finally he advised that the agency should engage them on such meeting quarterly for appresal on past issues discussed and suggestions for the future. Other issues discussed on are the position of the Seafearers especially those studying abroad, menace of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI) levied on Nigeria, the need for Nigeria to revisit and own her shipping line again and the floating dock which would earn the nation some foreign exchange. In his response to all these views during the session, the DG addressed the importance of media partnerships, acknowledging the role of journalists in shaping public perception and holding the agency accountable. Though he jokingly saw that the major grudge among the media was on what he termed "Media infrastructure" but went ahead to unveil many of the parliatives to the media that would breed a cordial relationship. “What is most important is data and knowledge sharing. If we do not provide you with accurate information that we have spent time and knowledge collecting, we cannot expect you to report accurately,” he noted. He also promised improvements in media relations, including the training of media practitioners, which is included in the 2024 budget. Additionally, he mentioned that the remuneration of media professionals covering the sector is under review, reflecting the agency’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the press. Dr. Mobereola urged the media stakeholders to continue raising industry issues and comparing them with international best practices. He encouraged open dialogue and collaboration for the benefit of the maritime sector and the nation as a whole. “When you speak, it is perceived as being in the industry’s best interest. I encourage you to continue raising these subjects, comparing them with international practices, and advising us on what the NPA and Shippers Council should be doing,” he said It could be noted that several Nigerian-certified seafarers have been denied employment opportunities onboard ships flagged by other nations on account of the absence of bilateral trade agreements between these nations and Nigeria as noted by Mrs. Ezinne. Reacting to this, the DG said that under his administration the agency will prioritize diplomatic relations and enter clear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that highlight the nation’s maritime needs in partnerships with other countries. He equally assured that the agency is working to address the limitations of Certificate of Competency (COCs) and the issuance of Near Coastal Voyage (NCV) rather than the Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificates. Speaking on the menace of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI) levied on Nigeria, he asserted that a powerful cartel within the international insurance sector is behind the high war EWRI premiums charged on Nigerian-bound cargoes. He lamented that despite a significant reduction in piracy and sea robbery incidents in Nigerian waters, the persisting premium has continued to add to the cost of trade for Nigeria. “One of the points I raised during my recent visit to Chatham House is how the war risk insurance placed on Nigerian-bound cargoes can be reduced. It is a cartel that is behind the war risk insurance premium. They are making so much money from it and will rather keep it as it is than remove it. “Even if Nigeria maintains zero piracy on her waters for the next ten years, if we don’t force the issues they will continue to charge us. They won’t remove the war risk insurance because they are making so much money from it,” the NIMASA boss argued. On the issue of Centurion University which was brought up by Mr. Asu Beks, the DG emphasized that the agency’s commitment is to ensuring that the cadets return to Nigeria as well-prepared and employable graduates. “We have not decided to bring those students back home. What we are doing is reviewing how the school has been engaged. Is it in the students’ best interest? Will they be well-prepared graduates who are employable by the industry. “These are the issues on our table right now, and we deliberate on them daily. I assure you that when we develop the best approach, it will be clear that we are acting in the cadets’ best interest, not our own,” he added. He further explained that the goal is for these “young, vibrant, intelligent students” to return and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector. “We want to ensure that the platform for them is right, and that is what we are working towards. When

we present our plan, you will recognize that it is in the best interest of both the nation and the students,” he assured. The DG also touched on the agency’s broader initiatives, including the ongoing review of the NIMASA Act of 2007. He noted that the revised bill would include regulations for all maritime infrastructures, from large vessels to small boats, particularly focusing on the smaller vessels that are often used for illicit activities such as piracy and sea robberies. “In the new bill, we aim to ensure that every boat in our waters is regulated, registered, and monitored,” he stated. On the floating Dock, the DG pleaded to the media on a developmental reportage of the industry,  as he asserted that efforts are being intensified to put the modular floating dock into use for revenue generation and employment. Meanwhile the

DG of the agency was at  Chatham House London recently on the issue that Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea should be raised at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) this month, emphasizing the progress made by NIMASA in combating piracy and sea robbery in the region. With the report reaching this media, this decision was reached during a session between the Director General of NIMASA, Dr.  Mobereola, and Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, Dr. Alex Vines, accompanied by his team. Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization, Bwala William was in attendance. Speaking shortly after the meeting, the NIMASA DG  emphasized the importance of effective international partnership to sustain security in the Gulf of Guinea.  “We had a very fruitful discussion with the team at Chatham House. The decision to engage the UN Security Council is to ensure they are well informed about the progress made so far in terms of security in the Gulf of Guinea. We also need an independent analysis of the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and how best to transform the gains in terms of enhanced security, into tangible economic benefits such as reduction in the cost of all Nigerian Bound freight and issues bothering on payment of war risk insurance premium for Nigerian bound vessels. The coming on board of Chatham House will serve as a catalyst in developing our Blue Economy,” Mobereola via his official X handle.