The Norwegian government has commended Nigeria for its leading role in ensuring safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Norway’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt made this known during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday.
The team toured the Marine Environment Management Laboratory and the Command, Control, Computer, Communication and Information Center, otherwise known as the C4i Center of the Deep Blue Project, both located at the agency’s operational office at Kirikiri, Lagos.
Huitfeldt, whose delegation from Norway included ship owners and the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lein Knut, said the Gulf of Guinea is key to global shipping, noting that the Norwegian government welcomes the improved safety and security in the region as experienced in recent years.
“The Norwegian government is happy to be in collaboration with NIMASA and Nigeria as a whole, with regards to the maritime sector today. The safety and security of vessels and seafarers particularly in the Gulf of Guinea is highly prioritized by the Norwegian government. Therefore, Nigeria is a very important partner for Norway. We came here with ship owners from Norway to explore ways of collaboration to deepen the relationship between both countries, particularly in the area of capacity development,” Huitfeldt said.
The Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, assured the Norwegian delegation that the agency in collaboration with other organs of government particularly the Nigerian Navy would deepen regional collaboration to sustain the momentum of improved security in the region.
He also noted that the soon to be disbursed Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds CVFF would serve as a catalyst for shipping development in the country.
The Executive Director, Norwegian Shipowners Association, Audun Halvorsen said the association with over 1700 members is looking forward to collaborating with NIMASA and shipowners in Nigeria in the areas of investment and capacity development.