Air Force Blames Changes At NIMASA For Failed MOU

Frequent changes in the leadership at the nation’s apex maritime regulatory body, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is  frustrating efforts by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)   to sign an agreement in the area of air surveillance to safeguard the country’s maritime domain.

Making this disclosure during an interactive session with the NIMASA Director-General, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar said that due to incessant changes in the leadership of NIMASA, efforts to have an agreement had been stalled.  He said that with determination, the present NIMASA management has shown, the planned synergy would be eventually realised.

Responding, Akpobolokemi said part of NIMASA’s agenda was to see to the general development of the Nigerian maritime sector, hence the partnership with NAF, adding that the partnership with NAF was part of the transformation Agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to reposition the maritime sector and transform it to a hub in Africa.

The NIMASA boss condemned oil theft thriving in the nation’s maritime domain, adding that the NIMASA – NAF collaboration in the area of air surveillance will go a long way in taming the tide.

He said: “While the Nigerian Navy patrols the waterways and the Nigerian Airforce the airspace, it means that we have closed all gaps of illegality on the nation’s territorial waterways.” Akpobolokemi pledged that NIMASA would fund the operations of NAF, stressing that the agency would not interfere in the day-to-day activities of the NAF officers.

He sought the assistance of the Chief of Air Staff in the training of NIMASA staff in relevant areas, including search and rescue operations, adding that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has chosen Nigeria as the Regional Co-ordinator of Search and Rescue in the West and Central African coast.    In his response, the Chief of Air Staff expressed optimism on the success of the proposed partnership, describing it as a welcome development.

—Esther Komolafe