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NIMASA is on the right track to the successful implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is on the right track in its bid to successfully implement the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) declared this week.
Tivo Romero, head of the USCG team in Nigeria, commended the NIMASA on their efforts so far, but also stressed that there is still much to do.
“I urge you all to see this project as a voyage which we have all embarked on, that must be concluded,” said Romero who was in the Nigerian city of Lagos on Friday as part of a two-week visit to the country.
The United States Coast Guard will provide required technical assistance to ensure that infrastructural and legal instruments needed for effective implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria are put in place
Romero also dismissed media reports that claimed that the United States Government would embargo vessels from visiting Nigerian ports noting that the US Government is fully behind Nigeria as a strong business partner that requires desired partnership, a reason for which both countries would always continue to work together and to ensure adequate security in the maritime sector.
NIMASA was formally appointed the Designated Authority (DA) of the ISPS Code implementation with an official letter issued by the Ministry of Transport in May this year. Since assumption as the DA for the Code implementation, NIMASA has dispatched competent Recognized Security Organizations (RSOs) to conduct security surveys and assessments aimed at identifying and correcting deficiencies and any other observed vulnerabilities.
The US Coast Guard team that visited Nigeria included technical experts whose report will be submitted to its headquarters for onward communication to Nigeria
