Addresses CVFF, Floating Dock, Training of Cadets, other issues

Director General of the the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has disclosed that the agency is committed and focused on increasing Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP by ensuring that  NIMASA stays focused on it core responsibilities.

Speaking during an interactive session with maritime media groups at Eko Hotel and Suites, Dr. Mobereola who in response to issues and questions posed to him by news men disclosed that its N50b floating Dock which has remained idle for over six year could become operational soon.

According to him “The initial plan for the floating dock was not right.  We are going to put the Modular Floating Dock to very good use by making it functional so that it will be of benefit to the economy, seafarers, and NIMASA itself. We shall place the modular floating dock in an appropriate location where it shall become operational. It is just a matter of time; we will surely get it done”

“We have visited the facility, we have assessed it carefully and we are confident that we can reactivate it very soon” Mobereola said

On debt recovery, the Director General hinted that two firms have been engaged to recover debts owed NIMASA by shipping companies and others agencies in the public and private sectors.mmmmmmmmmm

Speaking on the war risk premium placed on Nigerian bound cargoes, Mobereola said, “One of the points I raised during my visit to Chatham House is how the war risk insurance placed on Nigerian-bound cargoes could be removed or reduced. It is a cartel that is behind the war risk insurance premium. They are making so much money from it and will rather leave it the way it is than remove it”

“If Nigeria maintains zero piracy issues on her waters for the next ten years, they won’t remove the war risk insurance because they are making so much money from it. In all honesty, Nigeria alone cannot do it, we need the international maritime organisations to work with us, support us and be with us on this issues.”

Mobereola also said disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous ship owners is ongoing.

“The CVFF is with the Federal Government and it is intact. It is for the shipowners and for the development of the Nigerian shipping industry. We are  fine-tuning the modalities for the disbursement of the Fund, once the guidelines and modalities are carefully worked out, we shall inform all those concerned and steps will be taken”

Dr. Mobereola assured that NIMASA is working hard to ensure that training of Cadets and man power development for the industry shall be given priority by his management team for optimization of maritime operations at greater efficiency.