Maritime Lawyer Faults Appointment Of New DG NIMASA , Says Marine Is Not Road Transport

By Roland Ekama

A maritime lawyer and activist, Barrister Abdullahi Tony Daniah has expressed disappointment over the appointment of the new Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA , Dr. Dayo Mobereola by President Bola Tinubu, saying ,marine operations is not like  road transport agency.

The foremost lawyer in a voice note made available to DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA recently, expressed the wrong doing of the Nigerian president appointing a transport expert for maritime.

He lamented that the creation of Marine and Blue Economy Ministry was a welcome development, but added that the appointment of a DG who lacks knowledge about the operations of NIMASA and the maritime industry, would drag maritime activities backwards.

He pointed out that the sub- sector is too broad for another learner to be saddled with the responsibilities supervising the apex maritime regulatory agency.

He said ” NIMASA needs to be handled by experts. Be it DG, ED Marine and operations ,head of legal service etc must have indepth knowledge about maritime. Such appointment should not be politicized.

“Dr Dayo is not qualified to run NIMASA . NIMASA is not a road agency, NIMASA is maritime ,it operates on water.

“We needs somebody that understands maritime as DG of NIMASA because Maritime is so wide we can’t bring in somebody who is a novice to perform miracle overnight .

“There are so many qualified individuals that are qualified to be the DG NIMASA. ”

Daniah also commended the president over the removal of immediate past DG of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh stressing that his tenure did not lived up to stakeholders expectation.

He further stated that the president has good intention for the industry thus creation of the new ministry , however the appointment of the ex – commissioner of Lagos State was inappropriate.

The Frontline maritime lawyer and Activist also said that the laws establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy are still under the Transportation Ministry and must be reviewed with immediate effect in furtherance to strike a balance.