By Foster Obi
Motoring/Maritime Editor
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director General, Dakuku Peterside, has highlighted the importance of synergy and intelligence sharing among relevant agencies, stressing that NIMASA alone cannot guarantee the security of the waterways.
He made the point when the Comptroller, Lagos Seaports and Marine Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Modupe Andalucia, visited NIMASA.
“Security is not the responsibility of any one government agency, hence the need for synergy and collaboration between relevant government bodies.
“The interest of the country must be placed above individual interest, as such we must be willing to share ideas and information in this partnership,” Peterside said.
He described the functions of both NIMASA and the NIS as economic gate keepers towards ensuring safety and security, and underlined the willingness of NIMASA to work closely with the NIS to fulfil its mandate.
He said that the agency is undergoing transformation to engender greater efficiency and effectiveness, in a bid to become a catalyst to inspire the required growth and development of the maritime sector.
While expressing her delight to embark on the visit, Andalucia, who has just been posted to the Command, assured Peterside of the readiness of the NIS to partner with NIMASA to curb criminality on Nigerian waters.
She acknowledged the existing relationship between the two agencies and pledged the continuous support of her command to assist NIMASA actualise its mandate.
Since his assuming office, Peterside has created platform for collaboration with stakeholders to foist sustainable development of maritime to help boost the economy.
He has called on Nigerians, especially those in the coastal regions, to protect the marine environment as it is critical to human existence.
He also urged all Nigerians to champion the campaign for the protection of the marine environment which has a lot of positive socio-economic impact on human life.
“We join the rest of the world in the efforts to promote the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the ocean.
“The marine environment that covers about 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is essential for food security, health and survival of life and is a critical part of the biosphere,” Peterside said.
He implored Nigerians to help save the ocean by ensuring that waterways are free of debris and every kind of pollution that pose dangers to the sea and its inhabitants.