Director General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left) presenting a souvenir to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Alausa, on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

Lagos State seeks synergy with NIMASA on waterways

On Feb 9, 2021

By Luqmon Balogun, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and other federal agencies in areas of comparative advantages for growth and development.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance while receiving the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and other top officials of the federal agency, who paid a courtesy visit to him at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday.

The Governor while stressing the need for collaboration between Lagos State Government and the federal agency, enjoined NIMASA to work with the State in the areas of certification and training for small boat operators, removal of wreckages, improved coastline rotation and clearing of the waterways.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, disclosed that Lagos State is responsible for over 70 per cent maritime activities in Nigeria.

He said the State Government has put in place many plans and policies to improve the blue economy in Nigeria through business opportunities in the maritime sector.

Special Assistants to Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, on Communications and Strategy, Mr. Ubong Essien; on Technical, Mr. Suleiman Abdulsalam; Director General/CEO, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde and others, during a courtesy visit by the NIMASA DG at Lagos House, Alausa, on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

He said the Lekki Deep Port would be commissioned before the end of his administration to decongest the Apapa Port,.

The Governor noted that several investments that Lagos was making in the maritime sector when completed would increase businesses and revenues for NIMASA.

“We are at the stage of completing 15 jetties in the state. We have moved over 250,000 passengers through our ferry services in less than a year. Our plan is to develop the waterways where people do a lot. It is a deliberate strategy we need to look at.

“As a government, we are ready to work hand in hand with you. We will commission the Lekki Port before the end of this administration so we can decongest Apapa. We are willing and ready. We want to see that real synergy,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh commended Lagos State Government for ensuring that the State was the safest maritime domain in the country based on how the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has addressed insecurity in the State.

Jamoh, who disclosed that 70 to 80 per cent of the goods coming in and out of the country are from Lagos, noted that in spite of high rate of insecurity in the maritime sector, Lagos remained the only state that has the highest maritime security.

The DG of NIMASA said the maritime industry, if well harnessed could help the country diversify and end its reliance on oil, adding that the Blue economy, which is the use of the ocean for economic growth, will increase livelihood and enhance the wellbeing of our people.

He added that the areas of partnership between Lagos State Government and NIMASA, would include fishery, safety on the waterways, ferry services, waste management on the sea, extension and development of the shipping industry.

Confidence Okwuchi