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Militarization of commercial shipping is
not acceptable anywhere in the world-DG NIMASA
Newsdiaryonline 27-06-11
Related
story:Secretary
General of Abuja MoU visits NIMASA
L-R NIMASA EXC. DIR. MARITIME
LABOUR AND CABOTAGE SERVICES, IBRAHIM ZAILANI, SEC. GEN
ABUJA
MOU, BARR. MFON USORO, DG NIMASA MR PATRICK ZIAKEDE AKPOBOLOKEMI
AND NIMASA ED ADMIN & FINANCE, ADENIRAN ADEROGBA
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency, NIMASA Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi says that
the Militarization of Commercial Shipping is not an acceptable
norm in any member nation of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO)
.This was revealed in a press release by
Lami Tumaka,deputy director, public relations,NIMASA.
The DG who made this statement while receiving
a
delegation from the
United States of America
led by the Director Commercial Regulations and Standards of the
United States Coast Guard Mr. Jeffrey Lantz, noted that the
Maritime Security Bill which is currently before the National
Assembly will be inimical to the growth of the Maritime Sector
in
Nigeria if passed into
Law.
According to him “ Militarization of Commercial Shipping which
is the main thrust of this MASECA Bill is not acceptable any
where in the world. We want the IMO to step up its information
machinery to educate policy makers amongst member nations on
acceptable practices internationally. The Maritime Guard Command
here in NIMASA is already doing a lot as it relates to improving
security on our coastal waters and all they need is more
encouragement rather than duplication of Goverment Parastatals”.
The DG also disclosed that the rate of armed banditry and Piracy
on the
Lagos Channel have
dropped drastically since the deployment of Patrol boats by the
NIMASA domiciled Maritime Guard Command in the Lagos area.
Commenting on the up comming Elections in the IMO Mr.
Akpobolokemi told Mr Lantz, who is contesting for the position
of Secretary General of the Organization, that the IMO
needs to improve on its value to member nations particularly in
the developing countries.
The DG commended the American Government for its support to
Nigeria particularly in the area of capacity development
and curbing terrorism in the country adding that the Management
of NIMASA is commited to partnership for development.
While assuring Mr. Lantz that the Agency will support his quest
for the post of the Seretary General of the IMO, the DG
informed the American team of Nigeria’s intention of seeking
re-election into the category C of the IMO in the council’s
General Elections scheduled to take place in November this year.
Mr. Lantz noted that Nigeria has done enough to merit retaining
her seat in council at the IMO. “ I do not see Nigeria loosing
her seat on the IMO Council. This country has done so much that
we at the IMO now see Nigeria as a major player in this region”
He said.
He
also noted that the IMO has to improve on her support to
developing member nations. In his words “ it is an irony of fate
that the International Maritime Organization, IMO has so much
money, lying idle in some banks accross the world while member
nations are suffering from challenges that can be resolved by
making money available to them. This status quo must
change and that is what i will propose immediatly I get
elected”.
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