The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has categorically denied claims that it has embarked on a concession of its operations. The Agency attributes these claims to external and internal elements seeking to benefit from the current system.
According to the statement signed by the agency’s Head, Public Relations,Osagie Edward, FNIPR,h explained that the Management wishes to state that there is no iota of truth in these claims. Following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, NIMASA resolved to embrace technology to enhance its regulatory capacity and increase revenue.
A pivotal innovation is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS), which brings digital traceability to Nigeria’s maritime operations. MEMS provides real-time visibility into vessel movements, operational logs, and regulatory interactions.
Through automated alerts, smart invoicing, and centralized data integration, NIMASA can detect, document, and respond to maritime activities with greater precision and efficiency. This eliminates unnecessary bottlenecks while strengthening compliance.
The Agency has also targeted waste reception services, which traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in significant revenue losses. With MEMS, each waste offload can be logged, time-stamped, and automatically billed.
NIMASA emphasizes that past revenue shortfalls resulted from outdated manual processes and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms. The current reforms aim to overcome these limitations, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
The public is advised to disregard misleading reports and support NIMASA’s transformation journey, aligning with national objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
