The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has proposed a three-year partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) aimed at lifting the Condition of Entry (CoE) placed on American-bound vessels departing from Nigeria.
Commander Juliet Hudson unveiled this initiative at the USCG headquarters in Washington DC during a peer review session with a delegation from NIMASA.
Cdr. Hudson outlined plans for a bi-annual assessment of Nigerian ports’ compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, conducted in collaboration with NIMASA.
“We will work with NIMASA to review the compliance level of ports in Nigeria with the provisions of the ISPS Code. This will be done twice a year to enable us update the Port Advisory Security Portal in the White House, after which a decision will be taken to completely lift the Condition of Entry. We commend NIMASA for ISPS implementation, and please deliver this award to your DG,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, NIMASA Director General Dr. Bashir Jamoh hosted a meeting with USCG Advisor Lt. Benjamin Montz and his delegation at the NIMASA headquarters.
Dr. Jamoh reaffirmed NIMASA’s dedication to prioritising safety and security on Nigerian waterways to advance the Blue Economy agenda.
Expressing gratitude for US support in ISPS implementation, Dr. Jamoh stressed the importance of extending assistance to other Gulf of Guinea countries, emphasising Nigeria’s pivotal role in the region.
“Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the Gulf of Guinea; you will agree with me that most of the activities in the region revolves around Nigeria. “We acknowledge the support you have been giving us; we request that you extend it to other countries in the GoG, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and all credit goes to the United States Government.” Jamoh emphasised.
Furthermore, Dr. Jamoh appealed for USCG support in training NIMASA personnel, highlighting the importance of conducting gap analyses to tailor training programmes effectively.
Lt. Benjamin Montz reiterated the USCG’s commitment to collaborating with NIMASA to enhance safety and security in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly in port operations.
NIMASA, as the Designated Authority for ISPS implementation in Nigeria, has fostered partnerships with various stakeholders over the years, with the US Coast Guard playing a crucial role in bolstering maritime security efforts in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.