Bayo Akomolafe 
As the situation in the Red Sea has led to heavier shipping traffic in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has commended Nigeria for maintaining the safety and security of commercial shipping in West Africa.
The Secretary General of IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, who stated this during a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola at the IMO headquarters in London, also commended him for engaging the technical team at the IMO on how Nigeria could address all identified gaps from the 2016 audit conducted by the organisation.
In a statement issued by the agency’s Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edwards on Sunday, the secretary general also noted that the organisation was working on enhancing the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) to provide better services to member states in terms of information management.
Dominguez said: “I want to appreciate the effort of Nigeria on the progress made so far as regards security in the Gulf of Guinea region. There were concerns due to the situation in the Red Sea and resultant pressure around the Gulf of Guinea but we are pleased that the situation has remained the same.
“We at IMO have been working with Nigeria through NIMASA and we desire that the partnership continues. I am also happy that you, DG, are meeting with IMO technical staff on how to close all identified gaps before the next audit cycle. This is a step in the right direction and we are ready to give any technical support.”
Also, Mobereola declared that NIMASA would pay attention to details on how Nigeria could become a voice to be reckoned with in global maritime diplomacy, adding that Nigeria is committed to sustaining the momentum of recent achievements in safety and security within the maritime domain.
He explained: “My tenure will leverage existing relationships both locally and internationally to sustain the momentum in safety and security within the Nigerian maritime domain. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria by Mr. President emphasizes the policy direction of this administration.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria plays an active leading role not just in the region or the IMO, but in the global maritime space.”
He noted that his meeting with the IMO technical staff was aimed at ensuring that NIMASA and the IMO are aligned before the next audit cycle.
“I discovered today that some critical information regarding our administration and the technical team at the IMO is obsolete, and we are reviewing it to update it immediately.
“We do not see the IMO audit as an examination but rather as a guide to assist Nigeria in achieving its potential; hence, my decision to get personally involved. We need to get the basics right.”
He also announced that the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has constituted a committee to address all areas of concern raised in the 2016 IMO audit report. This includes reviewing NIMASA’s enabling laws and effectively implementing a corrective action plan.
