Sept. 11, 2021

The Federal Government says the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) mandate is not to generate revenue but to act as regulator of maritime safety and security.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, explained this in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Eric Ojiekwe on Saturday.

Amaechi made the disclosure at the final session of the 5-day National Council on Transportation (NCT), held in the commercial city of Kano, Kano State.

He said: “People put NIMASA under pressure that they must make money; make money for what, NIMASA actually is a regulatory authority, not for them to go and look for money.

“The people that should be making money and they must hear it now is the Nigeria Ports Authority. It is their responsibility to make money.

“NIMASA should therefore focus on being a regulatory authority on issues of safety and security on our waterways.”

The minister expressed dismay over the inability to convene the NCT for the past three years due to economic downturn and advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He then expressed optimism that critical decisions bordering on transportation would be addressed at the summit.

“Transportation is essential to sustainable development as it enables access to employment, business, education, health services and social interactions.

“The prosperity and wellbeing of developing and developed world are inseparably linked to transport.

“As such, President Muhammadu Buhari has made issues relating to transportation, one of the topmost priorities of his administration,” he said. (NAN)