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By Steve Agbota
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has been nominated by the Federal Government as a recipient of the 2021 National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM$, Award.
Also in the category of awards is the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency, Chudi Offodile, while the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, was nominated as a 2022 recipient of the award.
NIMASA DG expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, noting that it is a call to greater service tof atherland.
“I am spurred by this award, particularly as it is coming from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, which underscores the ministry’s role in ensuring reward for hard work and productivity in public service.
“Let me also use this opportunity to dedicate the award to the industry’s stakeholders; external and internal, as they have made our work easier as an administration. We will continue to strive to make the maritime sector a viable economic driver, especially with the Blue Economy mantra, which is critical to the sustainability of the maritime sector,” Jamoh said.
Commenting the on the selection of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the DG said it is a well-deserved honour, as she has remained a core professional and astute administrator in the coordination of activities in the Ministry and the Agencies under the supervision of the Ministry.
“I am not surprised by her selection, as she is an administrator par excellence and has remained resolute and professional in the discharge of her duties. Little wonder she is commonly referred to as the “Head Mistress” of the Ministry and the Maritime Sector”. I congratulate her on the well-deserving award,” he said.
The National Productivity Order of Merit Award was instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to recognise and honour productive individuals and organisations in Nigeria in the year of the award for achievements made in the preceding years.
In another development, NIMASA has received support from the House of Representatives to disburse the $360 million Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) to qualified Nigerian shipowners. A committee of the House, in its report, gave the nod for disbursement, at the end of an investigation which was chaired by Legor Idagbo.
“The Committee requested the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Ministry of Transportation to provide detailed information on the total amount that accrued to the Fund and disbursements since inception.
“The Committee met with the Minister of Transportation and the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Thursday, May 11, 2023 to find out details about the matter.
“After a thorough analysis of the various submissions, coupled with the explanations given by the Ministry and NIMASA, the Committee discovered that due process was followed in the planned disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund.
Reacting, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh thanked the lawmakers for their interest in verifying the due process being followed by the Agency.
Jamoh who expressed optimism that the NNPCL’s resolve to award maritime contracts to indigenous companies will give strength to the Cabotage regime being championed by the Agency, reaffirmed NIMASA’s transparency resolve in all facets of the Agency’s operation
The DG also called for more stakeholder support, saying the CVFF will evolve into greater benefit for more Nigerians, grow the per capita income and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria, through the maritime industry.
