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The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger economy by harnessing the potential of a Blue Economy.
The Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who remarked Tuesday in Abuja, while launching the NIMASA service chapter, further stated that the occasion marks a significant milestone in Nigerian’s efforts to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and customer focus of the maritime sector.
Adegboyega, who was represented during the occasion by Babatunde Bombata, Director of Maritime Safety and Security, said: “As the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, I am delighted to be part of this historic moment, which reaffirms our dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development.
He said the maritime sector plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the country.
“It serves as a lifeline for trade, commerce, and connectivity, not only within our borders but also on the global stage. It is not only a crucial driver of economic development but also a source of livelihood for millions of people across the globe.”
According to the Minister, the maritime industry holds a special place in Nigeria nation’s economy and plays a vital role in global trade.
The minister said, in recognising the importance of this sector, that it is incumbent upon the leadership to ensure that it operates with the highest standards of efficiency, transparency,
and accountability.
“As we gather here today, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era in the Nigerian maritime sector a time of enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Our focus on the blue economy is not just about economic gains, it is also about environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
“As we harness the vast potential of our maritime resources, we must do so with a keen awareness of the need to preserve and protect our oceans and coastal ecosystems. The blue economy must be sustainable, ensuring that future generations inherit a world where the oceans continue to thrive. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, we must adapt and innovate to stay ahead of the curve.
“The maritime industry is no exception by embracing technological advancements and modernising our practices, we can streamline operations, improve productivity and foster sustainable growth. The NIMASA
Service Charter is a step in the right direction, aligning our efforts with international best practices and setting a new standard for service delivery in the maritime sector.”
The minister further amplified that the charter is not just a document, “it symbolises a renewed commitment to service excellence, responsiveness, and continuous improvement within NIMASA. It is a testament to NIMASA’s dedication to providing world-class services to our stakeholders and fostering an environment that encourages sustainable growth in the blue economy.”
He said that recently, NIMASA entered into a Performance Bond agreement for Ministerial Deliverables with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He stressed that among the three Management Scorecard Priorities outlined in the MDA Performance Management System (MPMS) is the “Service Wide Priorities,” which aims to enhance service delivery throughout the Maritime Sector.
This Service Charter is thus well-timed and aligned with the overarching objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. It similarly represents a public bond by NIMASA to provide high-quality, efficient, and transparent services to Stakeholders in the maritime industry and the general public.
“It outlines the agency’s specific service commitments in areas such as registration, certification, inspection, etc. It is also a tool for accountability that sets clear expectations for stakeholders and provides a mechanism for the agency to measure its performance.
“This will help to ensure that the agency is meeting the needs of the industry and the public. The launch of the Service Charter is a clear signal that NIMASA is committed to raising its standards of service.
“Furthermore, recognising the dynamic nature of the maritime sector, we acknowledge the importance of adapting to evolving needs and expectations. It is essential to continuously enhance our services and processes to stay abreast of industry changes. It is with this in mind that this Service Charter has been reviewed and updated to ensure its ongoing relevance and effectiveness in addressing industry demands and hence the theme “Service Redefined”.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on NIMASA, Senator Wasiu Sani, said that the maritime agency should, as a matter of urgency, adhere to all service provisions, to become the best in Africa and the World extension.
“NIMASA must use the International Maritime Organisation recommended standards. It must not rest on its oars but should rise to set its goals and objectives to perform optimally and with this, I must say that Nigeria across all sectors must aspire to deliver premium services,” he stated.
Senator Wasiu assured also the maximum cooperation from his committee in appropriating funds for the agency to achieve its objectives.
Earlier speaking, the Director General NIMASA, Dr. Ibrahim Jamoh, while welcoming guests emphasised that the launch of the NIMASA Service Charter under the theme
“Service Redefined encapsulates commitment to transforming the way Nigerians serve their
stakeholders, the maritime community, and the Nigerian people as a whole.
“It reflects our dedication to elevating the standards of service delivery, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture of excellence within our organisation. As the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), I am honoured to lead an organisation that is committed to redefining the way we deliver services to our stakeholders.”
He informed that the launch of this Service Charter is not merely a ceremonial event, noting that it signifies a paradigm shift in the approach to fulfilling the mandate. “It also marks a significant step towards achieving our goal of providing world-class services that meet the needs of our
stakeholders. We recognise that our stakeholders have high expectations of us, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding those expectations.
“Our Service Charter outlines our promises to all those who interact with NIMASA, whether they are ship owners, seafarers, port operators, or members of the public. It sets clear standards for the quality of service they can expect from us and establishes Under this Service Charter, we are holding ourselves accountable for delivering on our promises to enhance the ease of doing business in the maritime sector and Nigeria at large. We understand that the success of our organisation depends on our ability to provide excellent service to our stakeholders. We are also invested in training and capacity building for our staff to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver world-class service.
“Furthermore, we recognise the importance of leveraging technology to modernise our operations and enhance efficiency. Through the use of digital platforms and electronic services, we aim to simplify transactions, reduce turnaround times, and enhance accessibility for all our stakeholders. Therefore, we have taken a customer-centric approach in developing our service charter. We have listened to our stakeholders, and we have considered their feedback in developing our service standards. But beyond these tangible commitments, ‘Service Redefined’ is also a mindset a commitment to a culture of service excellence that permeates every aspect of our organisation. It is about going above and beyond to exceed expectations, anticipating the needs of our stakeholders, and consistently striving for improvement. The theme also encompasses our commitment to delivering services that are innovative, efficient, and effective. We are constantly exploring new ways to improve our services, and we are not afraid to challenge the status quo.”
