Nigeria’s chances of returning to the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has brightened with efforts of the maritime administration to fight sea piracy, robbery and carry out other safety measures in compliance with international best practices.
Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative (APR) at the IMO, Alhaji Diko Balla stated this while speaking at the Nigerian IMO office in London.
He noted that the steps taken by the present NIMASA management, including the Anti-Piracy bill nearing passage by the National Assembly has led to a great improvement of the country’s relationship with the IMO as a body and other maritime administrations who are members of the international body. .
He said: ” You will recall that when we lost our seat in Council in 2011, our implementation status was less than 13 per cent. Today we have over 85 per cent compliance level, so you can see that the international community is watching and appreciating our efforts,
“Nigeria was amongst the first ten (10) countries from the over 170 member nations of the IMO to submit itself for the IMO Member States Audit Scheme, IMSAS, this is seen as a show of direction of the current administration of maritime in Nigeria by the IMO.
He added that “the IMO Secretary General Mr Kitack Lim was pleased when the Minister of Transportation Honorable Rotimi Amaechi informed him that the findings and observations of the IMO Member States Audit Scheme of Nigeria was being studied with a view to preparing and implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) within the stipulated time frame”.
He said that by November this year Nigeria would be elected into the Category “C” at IMO.
Commenting on the implementation of the International Ships and Ports facility Security ISPS Code, Mr. Bala noted that the fact that Nigeria is now in the category of countries considered as most successful in its implementation is a welcome development to both the IMO and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
He said the IMO noted that the Body is satisfied with the decision of the continental body to encourage regional cooperation and coordination amongst member nations to enhance information sharing and regulatory governance among members.
PIX
From Left: The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, IMO Secretary General Mr. Kitack Lim and Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative (APR) to the IMO, Mr. Diko Bala.
