As Reps Endorse Initiative as A Welcome Development

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Abade-Toru Manga Community Development Initiative has resolved to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in a matter before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

According to Mr. Edward Osagie, spokesman for NIMASA, the House committee was investigating a petition brought against NIMASA by the Abade-Toru Manga Community Development Initiative which alleged that NIMASA failed to establish educational and skills acquisition projects in the coastal communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

When the matter was called for hearing on Wednesday, both parties agreed to seek peaceful settlement through Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, option.

The NIMASA mouthpiece told Maritime Nigeria that Chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, disclosed that the NIMASA team led by Director, Administration and Human Resources, Isichei Osamgbi, had reached out to the Committee seeking to resolve the matter through ADR, stressing that the move is well appreciated and encouraged by his Public Petitions Committee.

“NIMASA team met me before the sitting and we have agreed that this matter be handled through ADR for proper implementation. If there is anything we encourage it is ADR and if parties agree with ADR they will go into it” Hon Mike Etaba  said .

George Wilcox Noah, the Chairman, Abade-Toru Manga Community Development Initiative, said he was satisfied with the resolution, adding that the harmonious agreement goes to show that the community is not at any loggerhead with NIMASA.

“I am very much satisfied with the resolution since it goes in line with the plea from the agency, just to show that we are not in any loggerhead with the agency. We are not antagonizing the agency” he added.

Mr. Osagie was emphatic that the Community leader has assured that going forward there would be peaceful coexistence between the community and NIMASA

“Sea piracy that affects both the Niger Delta region and the Gulf of Guinea would be mitigated” George Wilcox Noah said