The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has revealed that the agency would strengthen partnership between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea to enhance the maritime industry.
According to a statement released, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, stressed the need to enhance the maritime industry, while receiving the Korean Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr Lee Younghoan, at the agency’s headquarters. He said the two countries stand to derive mutual benefits from the relationship.
Peterside recognised the strategic position of Korea as a great ship building nation. He advised the Consul-General on the need for qualified Nigerian seafarers to be placed on-board Korean vessels operating in Nigerian maritime domain.
He said that Nigeria had a pool of qualified seafarers and other competent maritime personnel, who could adequately serve the global maritime industry, he also added that the agency was committed toward tackling the menace of piracy and other forms of crimes at sea.
“Nigeria is poised to tackle the menace of piracy and we have recorded great successes in the past three months. Our vision is to have a safe and secured ocean with zero piracy in the next one year,’’ the director-general said.
Younghoan, commended NIMASA for its efforts in fighting piracy on the nation’s waterways. The consul-general appealed for more surveillance and security in safeguarding lives and property on the nation’s waterways.
He assured the director-general of the readiness of the Korean Government to support Nigeria in the area of maritime safety and security.
