Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Director General, NIMASA

“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”…Dr. Dakuku Peterside

As the world marks worlds Ocean Day with the theme “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the need to desist from deposition of plastics and plastic materials into the oceans, the Director General of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has called on Nigerians especially those living in the coastal regions to protect the marine environment as it is critical to human existence.

The maritime administrator while appealing to Nigerians, especially those living in the coastal regions to protect the marine environment as it is critical to human existence also called on all citizens of the world to champion the campaign for the protection of the marine environment which he said has a lot of positive socio-economic impact on human life.

According to the Director General, “the marine environment that covers about 70% of the earth’s surface is essential for food security, Health and survival of life and is a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Ocean Day therefore is an opportunity for us to raise awareness on the current global challenges to the ocean”.

In a statement to mark this year’s world ocean day (June 8 annually), signed by hajia Lami Tumaka, head Public relations department in NIMASA, the Agency called on Nigerians to help save the ocean by ensuring that waterways are free of debris and every kind of pollution that poses dangers to the sea and its inhabitants.

NIMASA reiterated that the management and protection of Nigeria’s marine environment from activities inimical to its eco balance is one of the key functions of NIMASA which is executed through several international conventions and protocols as ratified by the Federal Government.

Nigeria’s commitment to full enforcement of the MARPOL ‘73/’78 Convention, London Convention ‘72 and the London Protocol ‘96 as well as BALLAST WATER 2004 is unwavering, NIMASA stated.