Newsdiaryonline has learned that the challenge of  the multimillion  debts owed by shipowners is one of the challenges Temisan Omatseye is tackling  as the Director General/CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,NIMASA.Official sources revealed  that between 2004 and 2009, shipping agencies  incurred a debt-profile  of about $100 million.But that is not all.Between January and June this year yet another debt of $22.5million has been incurred by the shipping agencies.An operator in the oil and gas sector is believed to be owing about $30million this year alone and much more.There are several millions still owed NIMASA.But the DG is reported to have put in place the machinery to ensure that the debts are recovered .Some of the shipping agencies are known to have hidden under  the cover of the high -profile individuals including politicians who are known to be behind them.But NIMASA is said to be determined to ensure that the ship owners fulfil their promise to pay  henceforth.

News about the renewed drive to recover debts comes in the light of impressive reports that NIMASA is equally improving  its revenue base.Hope in this regard is said to be high in the light f the positive signals being received from some multinational corporations likeTotal,Agip,Chevron Mobil and  others that now seem ready to redeem their commitments to NIMASA.It is this positive signal that gave confidence to a topshot ,who a few days ago revealed that things are looking good for NIMASA despite its problems with the national assembly which had delayed unduly the approval of the agency’s 2010 budget.

Insiders say the DG has in deed taken great steps to reposition the agency.The  Omatseye led management  at NIMASA assumed office on 10^th July 2009, that is one year ago .On assumption of office, the management unfolded a five point agenda which included plans  to drive indigenous growth in the area of    coastal and inland waterways trade;development of effective and efficient maritime administration ,security and safety system;aligning  NIMASA’s statutory coast guard function  with other national security agencies ;making NIMASA align its role to meet the expectation of stakeholders  and to develop a productive and skilled indigenous maritime labour  manpower.

Aside from Omatseye , other management topshots include Ishaku Shekarau, executive director,maritime safety and shipping development,Ibrahim Zailani,executive director maritime labour and cabotage services and Adeniran Aderogba,executive director administration and finance.The DG revealed at a forum recently that one of the major steps taken by his administration was to reorganize the entire organization to meet the challenges ahead.Newsdiaryonline learnt that prior to this reorganization,there were cases of duplication of duties by departments, a situation which if unchecked could have led to avoidable wastes.The reorganisation process was said to have presented some tough challenge to the management.

Newsdiaryonline also learnt that the new DG really had no illusions about his new assignment; that was why he immediately prioritized his activities into immediate, medium and long term plans.Insiders say it is amazing to note the remarkable progress that has been made within one year in areas  such as shipping development,regulatory activities and the capacity building measures for the agency.

Newsdiaryonline also gathered that efforts are  at top gear to revive the Unity Line which is the national carrier.Official sources said the Line is now fully owned by Nigeria after Otedola’s company which sought to acquire it  had its money refunded later .

Sources say NIMASA has also keyed into the efforts at solving the problems of militancy in the Niger Delta.There is a medium term agenda which is to design intervention programme aimed at supporting the federal government’s rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant militants.NIMASA is particularly geared towards training the ex militants as ratings and officers.There is also the  scheme  envisaging training youths as maritme security and enforcement officers for ISPS code ,cabotage ,SAR and pollution enforcements.NIMASA is also aiming at training and equipping the youths as maritime safety marshals to patrol Nigeria’s coastlines  and the creeks and respond to safety security and environmental challenges.Omatseye’s NIMASA is also looking towards some-long term collaboration between itself,NDDC and Niger Delta  states.

Omatseye also hopes to further restructure and reengineer  the agency for more dynamism;the ultimate aim is to make Nigeria a regional maritime centre and a convergence point for regional shipping events and what is called maritime trade logistic  hub.

But how far Omatseye will go in achieving his dream remains unclear.Though he has the requisite experience and has performed impressively, the intrigues and pressures associated with the  position he occupies may be taking a heavy toll.Sources say  the NIMASA DG has of late been the target of some wild allegations meant to remove him.But he appears to be getting adequate support from the minister of transport who is reported to have urged him to go and face his job squarely.Sources say the minister may be aware that the allegations against Omatseye are not just untrue  but designed to unfairly pull Omatseye down.That is why an official pleaded this weekend that ‘People should desist from this pull him down syndrome’