Nigeria has received recognition from Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), for its proactive efforts to preserve the security and safety of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea. This praise comes at a time when the Red Sea’s instability has led to an increase in shipping traffic in the area.

In a meeting at the IMO headquarters in London, Dominguez conveyed his gratitude for Nigeria’s efforts to Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He admitted that Nigeria has done a good job of maintaining stability in the region, despite worries about increased activity in the Gulf of Guinea as a result of the Red Sea situation.

“I want to appreciate Nigeria’s progress in securing the Gulf of Guinea,” Dominguez said. It is encouraging to see that things have stayed stable in light of the Red Sea’s pressures. IMO and NIMASA have been collaborating closely, and we are eager to grow this relationship.

Dominguez added that there were encouraging moves toward long-term improvement in Dr. Mobereola’s talks with the IMO technical team regarding the gaps found in Nigeria’s 2016 IMO audit.

“It is noteworthy that you are working with our technical staff to close these gaps before the next audit cycle. We stand ready to offer any necessary technical support,” he continued.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General has announced the organization’s plans to improve the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) with the goal of bettering information management services for member states, while also commending Nigeria for its efforts in maritime security.

In response, Mobereola restated Nigeria’s resolve to establish itself as a premier maritime diplomat in the world.

He emphasised his administration’s focus on strengthening maritime safety and security, citing the recent establishment of Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as evidence of the government’s dedication.

“To maintain the momentum in Nigeria’s maritime domain, I will make use of both local and international relationships during my tenure. We want Nigeria to take the lead actively in both the regional and international maritime arenas,” he stated.

Additionally, Mobereola stated that he planned to work with the IMO prior to the next audit cycle.

He said, “Today I realized that some important information about our administration needs to be updated. We do not view the IMO audit as merely an examination but as a guiding tool to help Nigeria reach its potential. For this reason, I am personally committed to getting the fundamentals right.”

He also declared that a committee headed by Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, had been formed to deal with the issues raised in the 2016 IMO audit report. As part of a thorough action plan for improvement, this committee will concentrate on revising NIMASA’s enabling laws and putting corrective measures into place.

Credit: Ships&Ports