The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by focusing on its core responsibilities within the maritime sector.
During an interactive session with maritime media groups at Eko Hotel and Suites, Dr. Mobereola addressed several key issues, including the agency’s plans to operationalize its long-idle N50 billion floating dock. The dock, which has remained inactive for over six years, is now poised to become a functional asset under NIMASA’s management.
“The initial plan for the floating dock was not right,” Dr. Mobereola acknowledged. “We are going to put the Modular Floating Dock to very good use by making it functional so that it will be of benefit to the economy, seafarers, and NIMASA itself. We shall place the modular floating dock in an appropriate location where it shall become operational. It is just a matter of time; we will surely get it done. We have visited the facility, we have assessed it carefully, and we are confident that we can reactivate it very soon.”
On the topic of debt recovery, Dr. Mobereola revealed that NIMASA has engaged two firms to recover outstanding debts owed by shipping companies and other entities within the public and private sectors.
Regarding the war risk premium imposed on Nigerian-bound cargoes, Mobereola highlighted the challenges faced in reducing or removing this insurance burden. “One of the points I raised during my visit to Chatham House is how the war risk insurance placed on Nigerian-bound cargoes could be removed or reduced. It is a cartel that is behind the war risk insurance premium. They are making so much money from it and would rather leave it the way it is than remove it.”
He further explained the difficulties Nigeria faces in addressing this issue alone: “If Nigeria maintains zero piracy issues on her waters for the next ten years, they won’t remove the war risk insurance because they are making so much money from it. In all honesty, Nigeria alone cannot do it; we need the international maritime organizations to work with us, support us, and be with us on this issue.”
Dr. Mobereola also provided updates on the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipowners, assuring that the funds are intact and intended for the development of the Nigerian shipping industry. “The CVFF is with the Federal Government and it is intact. It is for the shipowners and for the development of the Nigerian shipping industry. We are fine-tuning the modalities for the disbursement of the Fund; once the guidelines and modalities are carefully worked out, we shall inform all those concerned and steps will be taken.”
Finally, the NIMASA DG emphasized the agency’s commitment to the training of cadets and the development of manpower within the industry, ensuring that maritime operations in Nigeria achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness.
NIMASA’s renewed focus on its core mandates under Dr. Mobereola’s leadership signals a strong commitment to not only advancing the maritime sector but also contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.
