…as Jamoh Receives USCG Delegation on a Courtesy Visit to NIMASA Headquarters
As part of efforts to fostering removal of the Condition of Entry (CoE), placed on American-bound vessels from Nigeria, the United States Coast Guard, USCG, has offered Nigeria a three-year plan to work with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by Assistant Director, Public Relations for the Agency, Osagie Edward, recently.
According to the statement, Juliet Hudson had announced a bi-annual assessment of compliance level with ISPS implementation at Nigerian Ports working with NIMASA, while a delegation from NIMASA paid a peer review visit to the USCG headquarters in Washington DC.
Hudson said, “We will work with NIMASA to review the compliance level of Ports in Nigeria with the provisions of the ISPS Code. This will be done twice a year to enable us update the Port Advisory Security Portal in the White House after which a decision will be taken to completely lift the Condition of Entry. We commend NIMASA for ISPS implementation and please deliver this award to your DG”.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, simultaneously received in audience, USCG Advisor, Lt. Benjamin Montz who led a delegation to NIMASA headquarters.
Receiving the delegate, Jamoh stated that the Agency would continue to prioritise safety and security on the Nigerian water ways in order to realise the mandate of the Blue Economy.
Acknowledging the support received from the American Government regarding the implementation of ISPS in Nigeria, the NIMASA Boss emphasized that any support extended to Nigeria should be avail to other countries in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Also, Considering the fact that Nigeria plays a vital role in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), USCG should endeavor to extend support to countries in the GoG region in order to consolidate the gains of the Deep Blue Project in the region, whilst also bolstering the existing ties in the region.
“Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the Gulf of Guinea; you will agree with me that most of the activities in the region revolves around Nigeria. “We acknowledge the support you have been giving us; we request that you extend it to other countries in the GoG, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and all credit goes to the United States Government,” Jamoh said.
Speaking further, the NIMASA helmsman called on the USCG to assist in the area of training the Agency’s personnel, noting that a gap analysis will be done, and then synchronise with the USCG in order to give the right training to the right personnel.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation from the USCG, Lt. Benjamin Montz noted that they are in Nigeria as part of their plans to support the Agency in the area of training, while also collaborating with Agency to improve safety and security in the country’s maritime sector, with particular reference to port operations in Nigeria.
NIMASA is the Designated Authority responsible for the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) facility code in Nigeria. Over the years, the Agency has continued to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve its mandate, with the United States Coast Guard providing the required support and assistance towards the realisation of safer and more secured waterways in Nigeria, and by extension the Gulf of Guinea.
