NIMASA to Rebrand at 3rd African Maritime Conference

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

From April 19 to April 21, 2017, maritime administrators from 32 African countries would converge in Abuja for the 3rd Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference.

During the programme, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) would unveil its new identity as its chart a new course in the maritime industry.

Addressing journalists at a world press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, noted that the unveiling ceremony would be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the President was determined to see a reformed NIMASA. He said Mr Buhari takes safety of the country’s waterways very serious, stressing this was the reason he (President) gave his approval for the hosting of the event after Nigeria failed in the past.

Mr Peterside said against the backdrop of the key resolutions and decisions of the 2nd AAMA Conference held in Sandton, South Africa in October 2013, was the convening of the 3rd AAMA Conference in 2014.

According to him, “Nigeria was unable to host the 3rd Conference in 2014 and NIMASA reactivated the hosting right for April 19 to April 21, 2017.”

He told newsmen that the 3rd Conference would hold at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with the theme ‘Sustainable Use of Africa’s Oceans and Sea.’

The event, held in conjunction with International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is set to draw a road map for future sustainable work plan of the association, the NIMASA boss said.

He emphasised that hosting the conference this year was critical to returning Nigeria into the IMO council, thereby making the country a force to be reckoned with again globally.