The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday held a training programme for some of its staff on how to handle requests from the public in line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.
Deputy Director and Head, Public Affairs of NIMASA, Hajyia Lami Tumaka, said that the training was in line with Section 13 of the FOI Act which mandates every government or public institution to provide appropriate training for its officials on the public’s right to access to information or records held by government or public institutions, as provided for in the Act and for the effective implementation of the Act.
Tumaka said that the Director -eneral of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, will continue to make accountability, transparency and prudent management of resources his watchwords, even as the current Board and Management of the Agency work hard to fulfill its mandate of making Nigeria a major maritime nation.
“The Director-General and his team are committed to ensuring that we achieve safe, secure shipping, cleaner oceans and enhance maritime capacity in line with best global practices towards Nigeria’s economic development. That is our mandate. That is our goal. That is what NIMASA is working for everyday and we will not rest on our oars to achieve these. And in the course of delivering on this mandate; accountability and transparency remain our watchwords,” Tumaka stated.
The training was organised by Ships & Ports Communication Company Limited and conducted by prominent maritime lawyers, Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN); Mr. Emeka Akabogu; and Mrs.Yinka Akanji and leading maritime journalist, Mr. Bolaji Akinola.
About 30 staff of NIMASA drawn from various departments and units took part in the training.
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