Daniel Terungwa

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has assured maritime stakeholders that the agency’s modular floating dock is in the process of being deployed.

Jamoh made this known during a visit to the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman at the NPA headquarters, Marina, Lagos.

“I am here to affirm that the modular floating dock has come to stay. We have concluded arrangements for its deployment and operation. The date for its commissioning would be announced soon,” he said.

In her remarks, Bala-Usman applauded the development, she stressed the need to promote the NIMASA local dry dock to the maximum capacity by placing the NPA’s Continental Shipyard at the Agency’s disposal as a preferred location.

“We would go into an agreement with NIMASA on the handover of the authority’s dockyard, jetty locations, and warehouses within the area to facilitate the installation of the modular floating dock.

“We believe the floating dock is an integral part of the maritime sector and we like to commend NIMASA for starting this, we will continue to provide the necessary support as it relates to the aspect of our shareholding within the SPV being guided by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC),” she stated.

The DG NIMASA, expressed hope that within the next few weeks the Continental Shipyard will be ready to house the floating dock.

“The second aspect is the issue of operation; we have obtained the approval of the ICRC and we have been directed to move to the Federal Executive Council. As far as we are concerned, the confirmation of certain aspects of the operations will be run concurrently. While we are seeking the FEC approval, the issue of a managing partner will be considered and Expression of Interest will be published. Jamoh affirmed.