NIMASA honours Maersk, GAC, Charkins, others for promoting maritime devt

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has recognised some maritime companies for their outstanding contributions towards the development of the nation’s maritime sector.

The companies include Maersk Nigeria Limited; Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Nigeria Limited; Charkins Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre alongside some Staff of the Agency who have demonstrated commitment to the sector over the years.

The awards, which was held in Lagos recently, was categorised into Shipping Company of the Year 2017 (Dry Cargo); Shipping Company of the Year 2017 (Wet Cargo); Maritime Education and Training Institute of the Year 2017; Manning Agent of the Year 2017; Seafarers’ Employer of the Year 2017 and the NIMASA’s best staff of the year including the recognition of other staff, who have meritoriously served the agency for years.

Dakuku Peterside, director general of the NIMASA, said the awards were to identify and encourage industry players, who have contributed to the development of the sector in the past year. This, he said, will further encourage others to be active towards the growth of the blue economy.

He stated that the initiative was in line with the repositioning and restructuring drive of the Agency for the growth of the industry.

Peterside commended the awardees especially the long serving staff of the Agency for their efforts in building a viable maritime sector for Nigeria over the years through their selfless service and dedication. He charged them and all other stakeholders to continue to do more for the growth of the sector as the award calls for double efforts.

“Today, we honour some of our best staff and stakeholders that have also contributed to the growth of this industry. Nigeria is an oil producing nation, but if our oil is not shipped out of the country, we would not bring any value to that and so, we play different roles to achieve that”, Peterside said.

Peterside also charged the staff of NIMASA to redouble their efforts in order to ensure that the tempo is sustained saying the agency would continue to invest in capacity building.

The NIMASA boss called on stakeholders to continue to support the cause of the Agency in repositioning the Nigeria maritime sector in line with global best practices.

The high point of the event was the presentation of a plaque and cheque of N1 million to the best staff of the year, in the person of Titus Ajayi from the Finance Department.

AMAKA ANAGOR