The Head of the U.S Coast Guard team, Joe Prince Larson, from the International Port Security Programme, has commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)significant progress in implementing the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
He made this commendation during a working visit to various port facilities in Lagos and Warri, highlighting that the strategy will advance Nigeria’s effort towards creating a safe hub for international shipping and trade.
While giving an interim report, Larson said that compliance levels of Nigeria now stand fairly close to those in some of the most notable maritime nations of the world significant leap for a nation that was earlier flagged on the security concern list for its port.
He said: “We had the pleasure of visiting Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State, before proceeding to the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos, with the overall assessment being very positive.
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We noted that there is a clear and deep understanding of the implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria, with the level of compliance observed to be on par with some of the best maritime nations globally. We would report our findings back to US Coast Guard headquarters accordingly.”
Also speaking at the meetings is the Director-General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, who expressed happiness at the positive feedback from the USCG delegation.
Mobereola reiterated that the agency would not relent in compliance with high standards, stressing that such compliance pertains to greater Federal Government intentions on meaningfully improving the sector under the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
