GAC Shipping Company, Total Exploration and Production Company, APM Terminals, Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron all emerged winners at the third edition of the annual Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for stakeholders in Lagos recently.
Speaking during the award night, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, noted the significant change in the reputation of the agency in the last few years, saying that the burnished image was part of the fruits of the management’s deliberate effort to change the old ways of doing things in the industry and the agency, for the overall good of the economy.
He highlighted some of the achievements of the agency, in the last three years to include the Final Billing regime, which has significantly reduced turnaround time for all vessel billing transactions from between five and 10 years to two weeks of the ship’s departure; increased tonnage, with Nigeria currently placing second in Africa, after Liberia and reduction of turnaround time for issuance of Sailing Clearance from about one year to 14 days.
Other achievements of the agency, according to Dakuku, include digital transformation; improved maritime safety, security, and domain awareness; the tripartite agreement by maritime stakeholders, which has ensured harmonious labour relations in the industry; renewed capacity building drive through implementation of a five-year Cabotage cessation plan; and enhancement of the Nigerian Ship Registry.
Highlights of the occasion included the conferment of awards to outstanding maritime industry players and staff of NIMASA. A total of 181-staff of the agency bagged long service awards for 15-30 years of service, with Mrs Constance Omagbemi, getting the coveted Employee of the Year. Others awardees were West African Ventures, Awaritse Nigeria Limited and Sea Navigation International Limited.
Six state governors graced the occasion, including the host governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State, who came with his deputy, Femi Hamzat, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State was represented by the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau.
Other dignitaries included Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, who represented Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Lynda Ikpeazu; Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman; and Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), George Muoghalu.
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