By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,NIMASA, have given its word to assist in the accreditation of professional courses offered by the Nigerian Navy.
The Agencywas said to have also promised to facilitate’’ the attainment of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,STCW, status for the Nigerian Navy’s training institutes.
Bashir Jamoh, the agency Director General haad said this on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Lagos, when Kamarudeen Lawal, a Rear Admiral and the Flag Officer Commanding ,FOC Naval Training Command visited its Apapa headquarters.
Jamoh who spoke in response to requests made by Lawal, the FOC, boss, believed the collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA was not only required for success of the country’s maritime goals, but also inevitable.
The NIMASA, Director General had said that anything that would enhance safety and security in our waters and promote shipping, the agency is all for it, noting that it is in line with its mandate.’’ We would support and advance courses geared towards maximising our maritime potential’’ he said.
He disclosed that the agency’s maritime training institutions and courses have their basis in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, STCW,. He was said to have told the Rear admiral that the Maritime Regulatory agency would help the Nigerian Navy obtain the STCW status for its training bodies, and facilitate the accreditation of its programmes, on purpose to advance our common goal of maritime safety and security.”
Taking into cognisance of the need to maintain the International Maritime Organisation ,IMO, standards, the NIMASA Director General had said the agency would study the training curriculum of the Nigerian Navy.
He emphasised the need for the training and retraining of Naval personnel to improve their capability, especially, in respect of the Navy’s leading role in the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (the Deep Blue Project), which is domiciled in the agency.
The FOC boss had said the visit to NIMASA was in view of its critical role in the maintenance of standards and safety in the country’s maritime environment. He said the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA had led to improved maritime safety and security in Nigerian waters.
He was said to have commended the efforts by the agency to ensure the safety and standards in the nation’s maritime environment. It is not surprising why he said that his had made collaboration between the Command and NIMASA desirable and inevitable”.
“In order to achieve this objective, the Command desires further assistance and collaboration with NIMASA in the area of certification for International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,” Rear Admiral had said who could not hide his feelings was said to have also requeested Jamoh ‘’to “facilitate the accreditation of the Navy professional courses through collaborative efforts with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria ,MAN,, Oron,” Akwa Ibom state, south-south Nigeria.
