Both junior and senior staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) went into jubilation on Thursday when news filtered out that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of Dr. Bashir Jamoh as the new Director General/CEO of the agency.
A SHIPS & PORTS correspondent, who visited the agency on Thursday morning, observed that most of the workers were happy that at last, one of their own, rather than a politician as has more often than not been the case, has been appointed to lead the agency.
“Though the government has not announced Dr. Jamoh’s appointment but we are happy with the news that we are hearing. Dr. Jamoh is a seasoned administrator who has spent more than 30 years in service. He is well respected and I am sure he will elevate the status of the shipping sector in Nigeria,” a Level 14 officer in the Cabotage and Maritime Labour department of the agency told SHIPS & PORTS.
“This is what we have been yearning for. NIMASA has qualified hands to run the agency very well but unfortunately they bring politicians who come here only to boost their own CV and make money for themselves and their people instead of developing the shipping sector. We are excited and this appointment gives hope that we may also someday nurse the ambition of leading the agency.
“Dr. Bashir Jamoh grew through the ranks in the agency. Nobody should read meanings to his appointment. He is the only professional maritime person in the Executive Management Team of the agency and he is also the most senior among the Executive Directors. He is the natural successor to the outgoing Director-General,” another staff in the Operations Department said.
Many other staff of the agency were seen discussing excitedly in groups commending President Muhammadu Buhari for Jamoh’s appointment.
A junior staff in the corporate communications department, who pleaded not to be named “because the other person has not handed over yet”, said, “This (Jamoh’s appointment) will be a turnaround for NIMASA by God’s grace.”
Also, the Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commended President Muhammadu Buhari for Jamoh’s appointment.
MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola said, “The appointment of Dr. Bashir Jamoh as the new Director-General of NIMASA is timely, appropriate and well-deserved. It is reward for hard work and dedication to duty. With an intimidating curriculum vitae and an inexhaustible work experience both within and outside NIMASA, Jamoh has the wherewithal to take the maritime agency to the next level.”
“MURIC commends President Buhari for manifesting visionary leadership in his choice of Bashir Jamoh for the position of Director-General of NIMASA. We are waiting for wailers and their characteristically divisive outcry against every appointment made by this administration.”
President Muhammadu Buhari replaced Dakuku Peterside with Jamoh as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Wednesday.
Dakuku who was appointed in 2016 to head the agency and his tenure will end on March 10, 2020.
The newly appointed DG was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration at NIMASA.He hails from Kaduna and is the current president of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA).