Senator Wasiu Sanni, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, says the bill to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act has passed its first reading on the floor of the Senate.
Mr Sanni said this on Friday during a working visit by the committee to NIMASA operational offices in Lagos.
“Let me inform you that the bill seeking amendment of the NIMASA Act has passed its first reading on the floor of the Senate,” Mr Sanni said.
He noted that the Senate of the tenth assembly was committed to formulating policies to ensure Nigerians enjoy the benefits of the blue economy.
The committee chairman averred that a constructive evaluation of the existing maritime legal framework was necessary to ascertain gaps for possible review.
He pledged that the Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, was committed to supporting the maritime sector in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“With the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by Mr President, a message has been passed to all stakeholders that the maritime industry has a huge role to play in our nation-building.
“We must align with the vision of the president, and we must support the government to achieve a better country for all Nigerians,” Mr Sanni said.
A committee member, Sen. Abdul Ningi, commended NIMASA management, stating that much progress had been made over the years.
Commenting, the director-general of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, noted that the agency was committed to human capacity and infrastructural development to grow the Nigerian blue economy.
Mr Jamoh noted that a well-developed marine and blue economy would be strong enough to service Nigeria’s annual budget because it encompasses all economic activities associated with the oceans and seas.
“Be rest assured that NIMASA is utilising appropriated funds judiciously, evident in our investment in infrastructure.
“We will continue in the direction President Bola Tinubu has pointed, with the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry,” he said.
NAN