Lagos – The top management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a retreat to draw a roadmap for the development of the maritime sector.
The Head of Public Relations Team of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement said the roadmap was in fulfilment of the promise of the Director-General, Dr Dakuku Peterside to stakeholders.
“It is aimed at engendering a conducive atmosphere for the development of the Nigerian maritime industry,’’ it said.
NAN reports that theme of the retreat is: “Repositioning NIMASA for the Sustainable Development of the Nigerian Maritime Sector,.’’
The statement said that the three-day retreat is expected to develop strategies that would reposition NIMASA and indeed the maritime sector and draw a Medium Term Growth Strategy for the sector.
According to the statement, at the opening of the retreat, the director-general highlighted five areas of critical importance for the management.
Peterside noted that the areas included: Survey, Inspection and Certification Transformation programme; Security, Emergency and Search and Rescue Transformation programme.
He also mentioned Capacity Building Initiatives which entailed growing indigenous tonnage, ship building and human capacity.
Peterside said that others were: Digital Transformation Strategy; Structural and Cultural reforms including changes to work ethics and attitude of staff as well as processes and procedures.
The director-general said that on assumption of duty, he met a workforce in NIMASA that was knowledgeable, competent and patriotic.
He, however, expressed concern that the agency had unfortunately delved into politics which brought about divisions within its workforce.
Peterside challenged the management staff at the retreat to focus only on the agency’s goal of adhering to its core functions and rededicate themselves to the service of the agency.
He acknowledged that there were problems in the agency.
Peterside urged the management staff to join hands to turn the challenges into opportunities to positively impact on the maritime sector and Nigeria’s economy as a whole.
The director-general described himself as the Coordinator of the Change programme in NIMASA and expressed his commitment to be that Change Agent.
“I am ready and willing, physically and spiritually, to work with you as a member of the team in order to actualise the dream of a new NIMASA that will be a pride to Nigeria and a reference point to the global shipping community,’’ he said.
The director-general told the management staff that he was committed to a legacy of development in the maritime sector by leaving behind a maritime administration that would be known for efficiency and effectiveness.
“A catalyst for indigenous operations in the sector and a pride to Nigeria,’’ Peterside said. (NAN)