Dr. Bashir Jamoh Becomes The 1st Technocrat To Head NIMASA
By YUSUF BABALOLA
The appointment of Dr. Bashir Jamoh as the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has raised stakeholders’ hope of better days ahead in the maritime industry, YUSUF BABALOLA writes:
Ever since the merger of National Maritime Authority (NMA) with Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council to form the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), no insider has ever been appointed as director-general.
Rather, appointments have always been from non-maritime professionals or politicians who know little or nothing about how the maritime sector operates. But, for the first time since the creation of NIMASA, an insider with vast knowledge of maritime operations, security and labour engagement, Dr Bashir Jamoh was appointed director general by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh who has 32 years of professional experience in the transportation and maritime sector, also holds a PhD from the University of Port Harcourt, specialising in logistics and transport management.
He also holds a master’s degree in management from Korea Maritime and Ocean University, a post-graduate diploma in Management Sciences from Bayero University, Kano and a diploma in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
He is the author of the book, Harnessing Nigeria’s Maritime Assets: Past, Present and Future. Jamoh joined NIMASA in 2003 as an assistant chief commercial officer, eastern and central zones.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh during his swearing-in ceremony assured stakeholders of robust collaboration and engagement to move the maritime sector forward, he has also been advised on what to do to turn the industry around.
Stakeholders’ Applause
Stakeholders who unanimously applauded his appointment because of his knowledge of the maritime industry urged him to prioritize the disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF), the security of the nation’s waters against maritime crimes, placement of cadets onboard vessels and indigenous participation of Nigerians in merchant shipping.
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Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the former president of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Engr. Greg Ogbeifun urged Jamoh to ensure the timely disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and also use his wealth of experience to build indigenous capacity as well as address challenges of maritime security in Nigeria’s maritime domain
Ogbeifun, described the choice of Jamoh being an insider as a good development for the industry. He said, “It is a rare opportunity to have somebody who has been in the system over a couple of decades, who has seen it all both the bad, the good and the ugly times and does not need to be tutored on what the agency mandates are.
“This is the first time a true insider is being appointed as the DG and that to me is a very good development. He definitely will have his own strategy on how to deliver on the mandate. I am very comfortable with his appointment.
“Jamoh is somebody who has taken his time to develop himself career-wise going by his profile. It means that he does not only have the practical experience or the field knowledge, he is also updating himself with the current industry requirement.”
Indigenous Capacity Building
On his expectation from the new NIMASA DG, Ogbeifun urged Jamoh to ensure the timely disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and also use his wealth of experience to build indigenous capacity as well as address challenges of maritime security in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“He should conclude the issue of CVFF which has just been initiated. That should be his biggest low hanging fruit that would give him a big applause by the industry. The CVFF is an issue that has been on the drawing board for a long time and finally a committee has been set up by the Minister of Transport to review the guideline.
“So, he should quickly step in to that and make that a reality. That way, he would have the support of the entire maritime sector. On the issue of security, Jamoh himself is an expert in the issue of maritime security from the book he published, so, I think he would probably articulate an effective solution to the lingering maritime security issue that is making Nigeria waters a very unsafe haven in international shipping.
“The issue of capacity development both in human capacity and infrastructure development are platform that are critical to actualise the pillars of the Cabotage Act. Dakuku did a lot to bring Nigeria into the international space; I don’t think Jamoh should do any more than that. He should stay more at home and attend to urgent matters than flying all over the place to put our name in the map that did not help us even at the IMO,” he said.
Also speaking, the immediate past president of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Aminu Umar hailed Dr. Bashir Jamoh’s appointment because of his understanding of the maritime sector
Umar who called for industrywide support for Jamoh said his presence in the management team of Dr. Dakuku Peterside means he will continue from where the immediate past administration stopped.
He said, “I wish him all the best as we all know, he is an insider and he is also a veteran in transport administration because he is the president of CIoTA. So, it is better days ahead for the maritime industry.”
Umar further stated that with his appointment, the presidency has put a round peg in a round hole and it is very different from bringing an outsider that is someone who will start learning the industry. “Being part of NIMASA under Dakuku Peterside, I believe he will continue from where Peterside stopped and I wish the stakeholders will give him the needed support to prosper,” he said.
Dockworkers, Seafarers Management
Also, the president-general, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Adewale Adeyanju urged the new DG to ensure renewal of biometric identity cards for dockworkers and seafarers. He urged to engage more with stakeholders to understand the challenges facing the industry.
He said, “What we expect is good governance because the former management didn’t take care of maritime workers the way it should be especially the dockworkers and seafarers that belonged to their constituency. But, I pray that this new management will look inward and see how the welfare of dockworkers and seafarers is going to be taking care of.
“Like I said, I don’t want to go into the old management, let us continue to pray for the new management because the old management so much believed in international bodies than the local stakeholders. Dr Jamoh that is just coming now should focus on local stakeholders who will guide him on how to get it right,” he said.
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Speaking on biometric identity cards, Adeyanju said a situation where the dockworkers and seafarers biometric identity cards have expired for two and half years and have not been renewed is a problem that should be dealt with the new administration at NIMASA.
A member of the Steering Committee of Nigerian Shippers’ Association (NISA), Capt Taiwo Akinpelumi, who also hailed the appointment of Jamoh said he is an all-round technocrat given his years of experience in the industry. He urged him to use his appointment to foster greater collaboration with industry stakeholders to redirect the industry towards greater heights.
He said, “I consider the appointment of Dr Bashir Jamoh to be in order. Apart from having been in the system for so long, he has some requisite credentials that qualify him to occupy the position.
Such as but not limited to his years of experience in the maritime industry, his academic qualifications, his author of some books and papers on some maritime-related issues, and most importantly, willingness to come on board to implement stakeholder’s agenda in the industry.
“I believe his tenure will be for the stakeholders. And you can’t agree less with me that a robust engagement of stakeholders will be one of the major catalysts to the growth and development of a veritable maritime industry,” Akinpelumi added.
On his part, chairman, Port Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin said, “We are glad that an insider has been considered for the office of the DG because the industry has been pushing for a long time that an industry person rather than only politicians be considered for the office of the DG, which is highly sensitive in the areas of maritime administration and policy.
“Dr. Bashir Jamoh has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and he has served at various capacities. All this puts him in a good speed to be able to administer NIMASA and I am sure he will get all the necessary support of the industry,” Otunba Folarin said, expressing optimism that Jamoh’s appointment will help grow the industry to make it relevant not only in Nigeria but also globally.
PMB’s Mandate in Maritime Industry
Meanwhile, the newly appointed DG has promised to engage stakeholders in other to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate in the maritime industry. He said his appointment had shown that President Buhari believes in continuity and the need to ensure that technocrats are given opportunities to serve under his leadership,” he stated.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh assured stakeholders of his unwavering dedication to the progress of the industry, adding that the maritime sector offers a major platform for economic development. He promised to build on the successes achieved by the outgoing executive management, which he had been part of in the past four years.
“NIMASA has the core mandate of promoting and regulating shipping in the country. Concomitant with this mandate is the responsibility of ensuring safety of the Nigerian maritime domain for ease of maritime transportation, which is one of the critical catalysts for economic development.
“It is in realisation of this; and in pursuit of the Next Level agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration that I urge you all to join hands with us to build an enduring and prosperous maritime sector,” he enjoined the stakeholders.
“On this note, I will like to thank my predecessor, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, and indeed the outgoing Board of the Agency for their resilience, team spirit and vision to make NIMASA a leading maritime light on the African continent.
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“I must acknowledge the great strides we have made in the area of maritime safety and security, particularly with the Deep Blue Project and ensuring the enactment of the antipiracy law. Our determination to enthrone a worthy Cabotage regime is legendary. And so are the regulatory activities which saw Nigeria emerging tops in Port and Flag State Control in West and Central Africa.
“I can assure you that we will consolidate on these efforts and take them further, as we continue to pursue the ideals of a viable Blue Economy for our country. I know people are already expecting to hear about what we will be doing in terms of policy direction and initiative.
“Today is Dr Dakuku’s Valedictory and for us to bid farewell to our friends and brothers who have served, and to thank them for their illustrious contributions, as well as assure them that whatever they are leaving behind today in NIMASA, we shall definitely work hard to make even better for all our staff, external stakeholders and Nigerians in general,” he said.
Charting a New Course
Dr. Bashir Jamoh assured the outgone that government is a continuum. “Today will not be a day for specifics but I want to assure you that since government is a continuum. We shall hit the ground running immediately. We shall study your handover notes diligently to ensure continuity of leadership for the sector.
“We shall also listen and engage more deeply and more frequently with all our stakeholders both internal (our staff of NIMASA who work so hard) and external (the players and Nigerians in general) regarding whatever policies or initiatives we will come up with to drive the maritime industry forward.”
The new DG however, said the new management team of the agency will find time to address issues and make their projections known to maritime stakeholders. “I thank you all. Today a new administration is born at NIMASA, let us sail together, and win together, for the greater glory of our country,” Jamoh concluded his
By YUSUF BABALOLA ©Leadership
