Buhari congratulates NIMASA DG as new chairman of AAMA

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside on his election as the new Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA).

The president’s congratulatory message was issued in a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja.

Buhari said: “Peterside’s unanimous election is not only a personal honour and affirmation of confidence in his ability to lead AAMA, but also places Nigeria in a pivotal position to rally other maritime administrations in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) toward safer global maritime activities.’’

He acknowledged NIMASA’s encouraging performance under Peterside, especially in the fight against sea piracy through inter-agency cooperation.

According to the president, Peterside’s new position provides him with an even bigger platform to forge ahead in doing the nation proud by meeting the objectives of AAMA.

While wishing the new Chairman of AAMA successful one-year tenure, he expressed confidence that within this period, the Federal Government’s renewed focus on growing the Nigerian economy through increased maritime resources would be further enhanced.

Dakuku Peterside emerged chairman of AAMA at the end of the 3^rd Annual Conference of the continental organisation in Abuja on Friday.

Peterside took over the chairmanship position from Sobantu Tilayi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Maritime and Safety Agency (SAMSA), who has been the acting Chair of the association since 2013.