The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed Nigeria’s commitment to greater collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to develop the maritime industry. He stated this during a courtesy visit to the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr Kitack Lim, recently in London.
Amaechi commended IMO for the technical assistance rendered to Nigeria. He called for more cooperation in the areas of combating piracy and maritime education.
He also told the IMO secretary- general that ”Nigeria has already put in place action plans and initiatives through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)’’.
Amaechi said the action plans were for the implementation of the Code of Conduct entered into by the Heads of States and Governments of ECOWAS, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission on the fight against piracy, sea robbery and other maritime crimes.
To make Nigerian ports safer for international trade, the minister said that the Security Assessment Checklist of the International Ship and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code were continually receiving adequate attention by both NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
He also assured the IMO scribe that the findings and observations of the recently-concluded IMO Member States Audit Scheme (IMSAS) of Nigeria “is being studied. This is with a view to preparing and implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) within the stipulated time frame.”
The minister also called for greater technical cooperation with the IMO with a view to reviewing programmes and curriculum of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in Akwa Ibom,
