The DG of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir JAMOH answering questions at the media parley.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had indicated that it has inspected over 43.6% more vessels in the 2021 calender year over the figures of 2020, this is one of the figures reeled out at the media parley organised by the Agency and which took place in the boardroom of the Agency at at its Burma road, Apapa head office. At the parley which the Director-General of the Agency described as amazing, apparently refering to the number of maritime journalists present at the venue, which was filled to the rafters. He said that in 2021, 489 vessels were surveyed as against the 276 surveyed in 2020 which is an indication of the seriousness of the agency in carrying out its responsibilities.
The DG flanked by some Executive Directors in the agency.
In the area of the port state implementation, the DG indicated that the 2021 figure as recorded was 675 vessels which is 24.2 % higher than the number of inspections carried out in 2020 which was 510 vessels.
On examination and certification, he indicated that the total number of examination conducted for officers involved in the project for 2020 was 829, the total number of officers who passed and were certified was 264 making up just about 32% pass. The total number of failed officers was 565, this has a percentage failure of 68%. The total number of certificates revalidated in 2021 was 246, this according to the DG is “a very serious and negative trend as 68% of our officers who participated in these examinations failed”.
A cross section of Journalists at the parley.
Dr. Jamoh also indicated that in the examination for ratings in 2021, the total number of students who sat for the exams was 1,327, this is a sharp increase against the 2020 figure of 1,251. The total number of candidates who passed was 990 forming about 74% pass. This brings the total number of candidates who failed to 335 with a percentage failure of 26%.
More pictures of Journalists at the event.
“The Agency decided to assess the competency of all our officers as a fallout of the descrimination against our officers by international operators, hence this project” the DG declared.
He also added that the marine data accident investigation unit’s record for 2020 is 18 accidents while 12 was recorded for 2021 and all necessary actions needed to forestall such accidents were recommended after proper investigation.
The DG stated that a manual for price index on pollution has been published in line with the international guidelines for the settlement of claims on issues bordering on pollution liability, such as in the Nigeria Delta. He also mentioned the launch of the Deep Blue Project by the President which provides security within the Nigerian Maritime environment in collaboration with all the security agencies in the country.
Dr. Jamoh revealed that the agency would soon be moving into its new head office, a 20 story building in Victoria Island even as he debunked the rumour that the present 4, Burma road head office is a rented building, clearing the air that the building was bought for the agency in 1990.
During the question and answers session of the parley, the issue of the agency’s relationship with the media was raised and the DG answered that the agency sees the media as partners in progress and so will always seek good relationship with all media practitioners. He also spoke on the issue of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Funds and concluded that a lot of technical and political issues act to bug the disbursement of the fund down, but that the fund is still very much intact and untouched.
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