Presidency breaks jinx in NIMASA management

The re-appointment of Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi as Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for another four year term by President Goodluck Jonathan, has attracted commendations from stakeholders in the maritime industry, increasing expectation of the sector’s genuine growth.

This is the first time a Director general will serve out a term of four years in office since the Agency was established via the NIMASA Act of 2007 following merger of Nigerian Maritime Authority (NMA) established in 1987, with Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC). NIMASA has had the misfortune of high turnover of chief executives totaling 19 in 26 years. Akpobolokemi is the fifth since 2007.

Akpobolokemi’s re-appointment which becomes effective December 23, 2014, was conveyed in a letter dated October 13, 2014 and signed by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. This has been widely acclaimed as a recognition of his outstanding performance as the DG/CEO of NIMASA in the past four years.

Immediate past chairman of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Isaac Jolapamo, who nurtured the association from cradle, said Akpobolokemi deserved the reappointment as a matter of performance.

He said he is the first Director General to create a synergy between government and shipowners and if allowed to continue, the second term will be better. “He is the first DG to visit NISA (formerly ISAN) secretariat immediately after assuming office, the least we can do is to support him. The problems in the sector have been there, he didn’t create them. The problems were there before he came in. There is no magic he can do with the extent of damage.

Source: dailyindependent