Jamoh, Ukeyima Says Review of Enabling Acts Overdue

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

R-L: Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, (NSC); Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR and Director Consumer Affairs Division, NSC, Chief Cajetan Agu during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary NSC to the NIMASA headquarters

The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that in order to continue to operate in modern day reality, there is urgent need to review the Acts setting up most of the parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; with particular reference to NIMASA and the NSC.

Speaking when the management of the NSC led by its Executive Secretary, Barrister Akuta Pius Ukeyima paid a working visit to the CEO of NIMASA, Dr. Bashor Jamoh OFR, the latter canvassed the timely review of the Agencies Acts which he argued are outdated and must be reworked to reflect modern day realities.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR (right) presenting a souvenir to the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary NSC to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos

According to a statement signed by NIMASA Assistant Director, Public Relations Department, Osagie Edward, FNIPR, the NSC Boss, Ukeyima also commended the DG NIMASA Jamoh , under whose watch, he says the agency has achieved phenomenal growth.

The statement reads:

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, in his welcome address, noted the role enabling acts play in the performance and effectiveness of agencies of Government. While disclosing that much progress has been made by the National Assembly to enact a reviewed NIMASA Act, Dr Jamoh expressed optimism that it will greatly enhance the performance of the Agency.

“Your visit is a welcome development and the cooperation you seek is vital for the success of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. I must inform you that we have made much progress in our effort to review our enabling laws. This is to enhance our performance as an Agency. Now that you have come on board, it is worthy of note that the Nigerian Shippers Council Act was enacted through Decree 13 of 1978, and you will agree with me that modern day reality may necessitate another look at your enabling Act.” Jamoh stated.

On his part, the Shipper’s Council boss commended the Management of NIMASA for her achievements, which he noted would spur the take-off of the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

“I must commend NIMASA Management for the visionary leadership under Dr Jamoh. During some of our sessions at the Ministerial level, I admire the achievements of NIMASA Management during presentations. We thus seek collaboration so we can leverage on these feats”.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is the country’s Port Economic Regulator and a trade facilitation agency with the responsibility to promote fair trade practices in the industry amongst the providers and consumers of shipping and port services. Its mandate is to establish an enabling environment for all stakeholders by instituting an efficient and effective economic regulatory system in the transport sector. It is also one of the Agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.