Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, has advocated for a strengthened strategic partnership between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea in the maritime industry.
He pointed out that the two countries stand to derive mutual benefits from such relationship.
Dakuku made this point during a courtesy visit by the Korean Consul General to Nigeria, Lee Younghoan to the Agency recently.
While recognising the strategic position of Korea as a great ship building nation, he appealed to the Consul General on the need for qualified Nigerian seafarers to be placed onboard Korean vessels operating in the Nigerian maritime domain; noting that Nigeria has a pool of qualified seafarers and other competent maritime personnel that can adequately serve the global maritime industry.
Furthermore, the Rivers State-born politician reiterated the Agency’s commitment to tackling the daunting menace of piracy and related forms of criminal activities at sea.
“Nigeria is poised to tackle the menace of piracy and we have recorded great successes in the past three months and our vision is to have safe and secure oceans with zero piracy activities in the next one year,” the DG stated.
Earlier in his address, the Consul General, Lee Younghoan commended the Agency for its efforts in fighting piracy activities on the nation’s waterways and also appealed for more surveillance and security in safeguarding lives and property on the nation’s waterways.
He assured the DG of the readiness of the Korean Government to support Nigeria especially in the areas of safety and security.
It will be recalled that the DG at a recent forum expressed the Agency’s desire to work with other stakeholders and expedite action on the passage of the Anti-Piracy and Other related Crimes at Sea into law, which will provide the requisite framework for the fight, prosecution and punishment of piracy and related maritime crimes.
