Maritime Security, responsibility of all government agencies- Peterside
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Dr.Dakuku Peterside has said that maritime security is a responsibility of all government agencies while calling for closer synergy and intelligence sharing to foster the economic prosperity of Nigeria. The DG said this when the Comptroller, Lagos Seaports and Marine Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Mrs.Modupe Anyalechi paid him a familiarization visit also acknowledged that no government agency can successfully perform this function alone. Describing the functions of both government bodies as economic gate keepers towards ensuring safety and security, Dr. Peterside further expressed the readiness of NIMASA to work closely with the NIS to actualize its mandates. “Security is not the responsibility of any one government Agency, hence the need for synergy and collaboration between relevant government bodies.
The interest of the country must be placed above individual interest as such we must be willing to share ideas and information in this partnership”, the DG told his guest. He also informed the Immigration Comptroller that NIMASA is currently undergoing transformation to engender greater efficiency and effectiveness and position itself as the catalyst to inspire the required growth and development of the maritime sector.
Earlier in her remarks, Mrs. Anyalechi, who has just been posted to the Command, assured the NIMASA DG of the readiness of the Marine Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service to partner the agency to curb criminality on Nigerian waters. She acknowledged the already existing relationship between NIMASA and Nigerian Immigration Service and pledged the continuous support of her command to assist NIMASA actualize its mandate. The NIMASA DG, since assuming duty has continued to seek collaboration from various stakeholders, both local and international with a view to engendering a sustainable development of the maritime sector for Nigeria's economic prosperity.
