Audit to ascertain Nigeria’s maritime begins

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is carrying out an audit of the nation’s maritime industry and practice protocols.

The audit, being carried out by a three-man delegation of auditors that may attract international sanctions if negligence is established, is aimed at improving security on international waterways and to promote standard practice in the sector.

Cahit Yakin, head of the three-man audit team, who made this known on Monday in Abuja at the commencement of a week-long workshop on IMO member state audit scheme, explained that they were in Nigeria to ascertain among other things, the compliance level to IMO maritime security and efficiency protocols on Nigeria’s international waterways.

According to Cahit, the aim of the audit is not to witch hunt any country but to create a global best practices protocol that will serve the territorial interest of member countries.

Declaring the audit opened, Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, who was represented at the event by the permanent secretary, Sabiu Zakari, restated the commitment of the Buhari-led administration to transforming the various sectors of the transport industry.

He pledged continued cooperation with the IMO and other international bodies that promote development of the sector.

Also speaking at the event, Peterside Dakuku, director-general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), stressed that Nigeria was prepared to comply with all recommendations of the IMO, adding that the Federal Government was fully committed to absolute safety on Nigeria’s international waters, especially now that activities of oil thieves and other criminal elements are depleting the nation’s oil earnings.

He noted that Nigeria has always cooperated with the IMO, saying also that during the last voluntary audit of member states maritime sector, Nigeria gave full support to the body. He said the visit of the IMO audit personnel is to help preposition Nigeria as one of the world highly strategic players in the maritime sector.

Peterside also said that Nigeria is prepared to implement all recommendations of the international body, just as he pledged that necessary reforms would be made in line with the recommendations of the audit team.

“Nigeria is committed to the vision of the IMO. The IMO auditors are here to assist Nigeria in regaining global leadership. At the end of the exercise, Nigeria is ready to make amendments where required. The Federal Government is determined to ensure Nigeria takes her rightful place in the international maritime community, and the minister of transportation, Amaechi has been given priority attention to the maritime sector, especially to ensure that our waterways are safe. This we are doing in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, to rid our waterways of all forms of criminality,” he said.

While saying that the verdict of the audit panel can be positive or negative depending on their findings, he however gave the assurance that the federal government is committed to implementing recommendations of the panel, especially since they are in the best interest of government and citizens of the country.

Chairman House Committee on Maritime transport, Mohammed Bako Umar, in his remark said that the national assembly remains committed to the safety of lives and property of all citizens, hence the seriousness attached to the IMO audit. He pledged the readiness of the lawmakers to partner with the executive at all times to facilitate the effective functioning of NIMASA through the transportation ministry.