The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is to collaborate with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) for the monitoring and control of marine pollutants.
In a joint statement in Apapa, Lagos, The NIMASA Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, and the NAEC Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Erepamo Osaisai, resolved to deploy resources for the prevention and mitigation of marine pollution.
Receiving a delegation of the NAEC Management, on a working visit to NIMASA Maritime House headquarters, Akpobolokemi lamented incessant marine pollution incidences occasioned by oil exploration activities and garbage discharged from ships into Nigerian waters.
The NIMASA boss stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach towards the control of ships waste disposal and oil drilling units operating in Nigerian waters.
“he Agency is expanding capacity for marine research and investigation and atomic science solutions will be welcomed,” Akpobolokemi explained.
Also speaking, the NAEC boss requested necessary logistics support from NIMASA to promote the deployment of nuclear analytical techniques for marine pollution assessment.
Osaisai informed his host that the request to NIMASA was on account of the Agency’s mandate in respect of marine pollution and prevention, adding that NAEC was collaborating with the Centre for Marine Pollution Monitoring, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
He explained that the Commission had identified “hot spots” of marine pollution incidents.
NIMASA has as part of its brief, the prevention and control of marine pollution, amongst other functions, in line with relevant international regulatory instruments.
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