Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has said the nation’s maritime industry is large enough to sustainably engage the teeming youths.
Jamoh made the assertion in a statement at the Maritime House, Apapa Lagos while receiving the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd).
The DG in the statement noted that there were enormous opportunities in the Nigerian Maritime Industry that youths could take advantage of to generate foreign earnings.
According to the statement, the meeting between both agencies is a wakeup call on the need for collaborative efforts, as both agencies are closely related.
He explains that in 2021 when he visited the Amnesty Office in Abuja, there was an agreement to form a Joint Board Meeting to drive more conversations for collaboration.
“The international community is already commending Nigeria for the successes recorded in addressing Maritime insecurity in the country. Both the Nigerian government and international community are watching to see if the tempo can be sustained.”
Jamoh suggested that to sustain the current tempo, it is important to fully empower and reintegrate beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme into the society as he stated that NIMASA has trained over 4,000 Nigerians internationally under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, the majority of who are from the Niger Delta.
Earlier, in his remarks, the PAP Interim Administrator commends the DG and his team for redefining the safety and security of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry.
“I’m aware of your outstanding achievements, particularly in the obvious reduction of piracy on the Gulf of Guinea,”
On his agenda for the Amnesty Programme, the General says “my vision is to chart a new path for the Amnesty Programme by upholding the principal objectives of government, by bringing innovative ideas, setting a new Management structure of wealth creation for the teeming youths, instead of depending on monthly stipends, to pave way for a more prosperous future.”
While encouraging NIMASA to sustain the partnership with PAP, Ndiomu calls for more collaboration and cooperation from international stakeholders.
Ndiomu seeks the possibility of the establishment of a Coordinating Secretariat between PAP and NIMASA to drive strategic engagement and conversations.
“We are looking at exploring technical support from NIMASA, job placement opportunities within the Marintime Industry for our qualified delegates,” he added.