Good security requires planning, says NIMASA DG

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that ensuring a good security in the maritime industry requires careful planning and stringent implementation.

The DG stated this during the closing ceremony of a five-day training programme tagged “train the trainer” facilitated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in conjunction with NIMASA on ISPS code compliance in Lagos.

Dr. Peterside also said that the Agency is very committed to improving the fortunes of Nigeria by creating an enabling environment for a business friendly and secure environment for Stakeholders in the industry and the country at large, hence the need for the train the trainer initiative.

The NIMASA boss, who acknowledged the International Co-operation Unit of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), disclosed that the training was predicated on the premise that a fact-finding team was in Nigerian earlier in the year to conduct a needs assessment where a number of gaps were identified. This according to the DG necessitated the training, with a view to addressing some of the gaps identified.

“I am sure that in the course of this exercise, you have learned that good security requires planning and stringent implementation. I know that in the course of this training, the seed of co-operation and collaboration between NIMASA as Designated Authority (DA) for ISPS Code Implementation in Nigeria, and our sister Agencies such as Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation has been planted.”

He further stated that “a series of planned training programmes expected to culminate with the lead auditors training will place you, the drivers of the system at the cutting edge of professionalism in ISPS code implementation,” the DG said.

While also thanking the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for his support and enduring commitment to the imperatives of NIMASA’s DA status and indeed all matters pertaining to the maritime industry in Nigeria, he charged the participants to bring to bear the knowledge acquired during the five days training programme, noting that this will enhance the security at the nation’s ports.