By Uzor Odigbo
Maritime lawyer and activist, Barrister Abdullahi Tony Daniah has expressed dismay over the appointment of the new Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola by President Bola Tinubu, saying marine operations is not like a road transport agency.
The foremost lawyer in a voice note made available to TheNiche, highlighted the wrongdoing of the Nigerian president in appointing a transport expert for maritime.
He said: “NIMASA needs to be handled by experts. Be it DG, ED Marine and operations, head of legal service etc must have in depth knowledge about maritime. Such appointment should not be politicized.
“Dr Dayo is not qualified to run NIMASA. NIMASA is not a road agency. NIMASA is maritime. It operates on water.
“We need somebody that understands maritime as DG of NIMASA because Maritime is so wide we can’t bring in somebody who is a novice to perform miracles overnight.
There are so many qualified individuals that are qualified to be the DG NIMASA,” he said.
Daniah also commended the president over the removal of immediate past DG of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh stressing that his tenure did not live up to stakeholders expectation.
He further stated that the president has good intentions for the industry through the creation of the new ministry , however the appointment of the ex – commissioner of Lagos State was inappropriate.
The Frontline maritime lawyer and activist also said that the laws establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy are still under the Transportation Ministry and must be reviewed with immediate effect in furtherance of striking a balance
