DG NIMASA Urge Operator To Adhere To Safety Procedure

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, has emphasised the need for detailed and proper safety action plan before the newly appointed manager of the NIMASA Floating Dock, Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited move the dockyard from its present location at Navy Dockyard to the Dolphine Jetty waterfront.

A bonafide industry administrator and transportant,  Jamoh said such action plains must be sync with the realities on ground and hence the relocation should be made with with detailed deliverables, and key performance indicators with clearly stated timelines.

The NIMASA Dock at Naval Dockyard VI Lagos

The Nigerian registered company, Melsmore Marine Nigeria limited is responsible for the relocation of the Modular Floating Dock of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, from the Naval Dockyard to the waterfront of the Dolphine Jetty at the NPA Dockyard which used to be the Continental Shipyard.

A statement by NIMASA Assistant Director, Public Relations Department, Osagie Edward said Mr Danny Fuchs has engaged the Management of NIMASA and discussed details of relocating the Modular floating Dock to the Dolphine Jetty which the Agency leased from the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Danny noted that they are committed to executing their project of relocating the Modular Floa

ting Dock:

“Our job is to move the Modular Floating Dock from the present location to the waterfront of the Dolphine Jetty at Apapa. THSD SEA LION which occupied the leased area at the water front have vacated the jetty now. We have a commercial understanding with NIMASA on how to execute this project.

“We have submitted a feasibility study taking note of the Mooring system required to anchor the Modular Floating Dock at the Dolphine Jetty. The Mooring System supplied by the Manufacturers of the Modular Floating Dock is made up of two steel piles of 36 meters Length, 2 meters in Diameter and a weight of roughly 48 Tonnes each. These massive piles need to be driven about 20 meters into the Seabed.  We will bring our expertise to bear in carrying out this project. We also hope to invite the manufacturers, Damen Shipyard to join forces in achieving this relocation project. We will work with Damen Shipyard to ensure the Modular Floating Dock is Seaworthy before the relocation. This is to Commission the Modular Floating Dock before relocation”. He said.

While addressing officials of Melsmore, the Director General NIMASA, emphasised the need for them to review the action plan in the light of realities on ground with detailed deliverables, and key performance indicators with clearly stated timelines.

He said, “Nigerians eagerly await the deployment of the Modular Floating Dock. This is a national asset, which has potentials to boost maritime trade, create jobs, develop skills, by providing training avenues to various maritime training institutions in Nigeria, while also attracting foreign investment and preventing capital flight, thereby generating revenue. We hope to have students from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria and the Maritime University Okerenkoko amongst other maritime institutions come for practical time.”
It will be recalled  that penultimate week , an indentified ship which was being relocated under controversial circumstances  collided with the Warri township river bridge, when those responsible for the movement apparently lost control, due to ill planning and lack of expertise.

So far, no statement has been made by relevant agencies of government managing the Nigerian waters, ports and harbours, and those on whose purview the strange and unidentified ship; falls.