The management of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has rated Lagos as the best state in Nigeria in terms of maritime safety.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said despite the widespread insecurity in the maritime sector, Lagos waterways have achieved a reasonable level of security.
While identifying areas of partnerships between the State Government and NIMASA, Jamoh said the extinction of the fishing industry is due to insecurity in the waterways, adding that the agency is ready to partner Lagos to improve the safety of the waterways.
“We are seeing the extinction of the fishery industry due to maritime insecurity. About 98 per cent of maritime insecurity originates from land to sea but Lagos remains the state with the highest maritime security,” he said.
Other areas of partnerships suggested are the ferry services, waste management in the sea and the extension and development of the shipping industry.
“We are also looking at the ferry services as an alternative means of transportation so that we can reduce the level of traffic congestion we experience. Another area is the shipping extension and development so that our visions which we envisaged in the next 20 years will take us to the Promised Land,” Jamoh said.
He also said the potential of the maritime industry, if well harnessed, could generate $90 trillion for Nigeria, and help to diversify its reliance on oil. he added that the blue economy would increase livelihood and enhance the wellbeing of the people.
In his response, Sanwo-Olu said the state is responsible for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s maritime activities, hence collaboration is important.
“Another area of partnership is wreckage. Once we find those wreckages, we should put them out. We are at the stage of completing 15 jetties in the state. We have moved over 250,000 passengers by ferries in less than a year,” he said.
