By Omolade Abdulkareem
Harboursandport.com: Lagos- October 24, 2024: Nigeria is seeking election for a category C seat at the International Maritime Organization, IMO after failing several attempts over a decade to get elected.
L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Permanenet Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola and others during the 2024 World Maritime Day Parallel Event, held in Barcelona, Spain.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is leading the country's renewed effort for the IMO seat election, expressed Nigeria’s interest to seek election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Council.
The Minister, addressing the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Barcelona, Spain, highlighted that Nigeria has established the essential requirements to advance the country's maritime industry in accordance with acknowledged global best practices.
In his words, “our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS, and the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.
"There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau, IMB. By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
"Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
"I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council."
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola stated that every effort will be made to achieve success in the pursuit of IMO Category C membership in the upcoming elections.
“We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO
”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others.
"While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO," he stated.
Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.
This year's parallel event, themed "Navigating the Future: Safety First," gathered international maritime leaders and experts to address upcoming challenges and opportunities, focusing on the importance of prioritizing safety in the daily operations of the global maritime industry.
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