The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has noted that to achieve the Agency’s vision of becoming the leading maritime administration in Africa advancing Nigeria’s global maritime goals, it is important that there is no disconnect between policy formulation and policy implementation.

Speaking during a retreat by members of governing Board, the NIMASA DG expressed gratitude that the Board was peopled by individuals with proven integrity and a commitment to the service of the nation.

In his words “the Governing Board of this Agency as the bridge between policy making and policy implementation is most suited to drive this process of NIMASA and maritime industry self -reinvention. We are privileged that the supervising ministry and the President of our country have absolute confidence in the Board and its ability to help Management achieve the much-desired ‘acceleration’ which NIMASA and the industry needs”.

Calling on members of the Board and management to always communicate effectively, Dakuku said everything must be done to eliminate poor communication.

While highlighting the strategic importance of marine transportation to Nigeria’s economy, Dr. Peterside emphasized that marine transportation depends on enforcement of laws, rules, conventions and regulations to guarantee safe, secure and environmentally responsible shipping.

According to Dakuku, “It is thus our fate that our Agency, NIMASA must be an accelerator rather than a clog in this economic engine. To this end, the Governing Board of NIMASA, Management of the Agency, industry stakeholders, our partners in the military services, other collaborating Federal Agencies, international regulators, and our supervising ministry (Ministry of Transportation) should work collaboratively to optimize marine transportation and lead the development of indigenous commercial shipping, which is our mandate”

The Obong of Calabar, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Ekpo Okon, while receiving the Board of NIMASA in his palace described the maritime industry as great facilitator of trade and called on the Board to develop a master plan for the advancement of the Nigerian maritime industry.

The royal father commended the Federal Government for constituting the NIMASA Board. He expressed joy that the calibre of personalities in the Board gives a lot of confidence and hope that the Nigerian maritime industry is set to experience renewed development.

In a related development, Dr Dakuku Peterside is to deliver this year’s University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Distinguished Persons Annual Lecture of the Faculty of Management.

A statement from the University notes that the lecture is an annual academic event that provides an opportunity for outstanding persons in government positions to appraise and update the academia and the public of the vision, mission and achievements in the national assignments under their charge.

Dr. Peterside is expected to speak on the topic; Connected Vision: Building Blocks of a New Nigeria, scheduled to hold at the UNN Enugu Campus is expected to have in attendance the academia, strategic managers, maritime experts, business students and members of the public.