Lagos, June 1, 2023 – The policies of the current administration in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are tailored to complement efforts of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to grow the Nigerian economy through the oil and gas sector.
Dr Bashir Jamoh, NIMASA Director-General, said this at the just concluded 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He was represented by the Agency’s Director of Cabotage Services, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa.
Jamoh advised stakeholders to consider a change of trade terms in the oil and gas sector from the Free on Board (FOB) to the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) model.
He said the efforts of the NCDMB at helping in the development of the indigenous maritime sector had not gone unnoticed.
‘We appreciate the efforts of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board at growing the indigenous maritime sector, such as the proposed Brass Shipyard.
“We at NIMASA, will continue to strive for the development of our maritime sector by pursuing policies that will ensure the indigenous capacity is grown, which in turn will impact on our fleet expansion to position them to be able to participate in the affreightment of the products’.
On opportunities for indigenous businesses in maritime, Jamoh said: ‘I want to reiterate that we must also create a suitable and sustainable business and investment environment that will afford indigenous operators’ opportunities to participate in the oil & gas industry with a view to accelerating Nigeria’s income for the Oil Industry which in turn will impact our GDP”.
Mr Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary in NCDMB, addvised firms operating in the sector to prepare themselves adequately, saying the oil and gas industry was highly technical and would not compromise safety and standards.
“If someone gives you projects, he intends to execute in the next two years, Nigerian companies, having listened to the opportunities, should go back and continue to build their capacities in readiness to actively participate.”
Wabote challenged relevant agencies to address the worrisome security challenges, particularly oil theft in the Niger Delta, as this would enable the production of hydrocarbons at reasonable costs and profitability. (GBN)
