* Peterside 

The top Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a retreat to draw a roadmap for the development of the Nigerian maritime sector.

The roadmap which is in fulfilment of the promise of the Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside to stakeholders is aimed at engendering a conducive atmosphere for the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

The  three day retreat with the theme: "Repositioning NIMASA for the Sustainable Development of the Nigerian maritime Sector",  is expected to develop strategies that would reposition NIMASA and indeed the maritime sector and draw a Medium Term Growth Strategy for the sector.

Speaking at the opening of the retreat, the Director-General highlighted five areas of critical importance for the Management to include Survey, Inspection and Certification Transformation programme; Security, Emergency and Search and Rescue Transformation programme as well as Capacity Building Initiatives which entail growing indigenous tonnage, ship building and human capacity.

Others are Digital Transformation Strategy; and Structural and Cultural reforms including changes to work ethic and attitude of staff as well as processes and procedures.

Peterside who observed that on assumption of duty, he met a workforce in NIMASA that was knowledgeable, competent and patriotic however regretted that the Agency had unfortunately delved into politics which brought about divisions in its workforce.

He challenged Management staff at the retreat to focus only on the Agency's goal of adhering to its core functions and rededicate themselves to the service of the Agency.

While acknowledging that there are problems in the Agency, he urged  Management staff to join hands to turn these challenges into opportunities with the overall aim of positively impacting the maritime sector and Nigeria's economy as a whole, which is the reason for the retreat.

The NIMASA DG who referred to himself as the coordinator of the Change programme in NIMASA also expressed his commitment to be that change agent saying "I am ready and willing, physically and spiritually, to work with you as a member of the team in order to actualise the dream of a new NIMASA that will be a pride to Nigeria and a reference point to the global shipping community".

He told Management staff that he is committed to a legacy of development in the maritime sector by leaving behind a maritime administration that is known for efficiency and effectiveness, a catalyst for indigenous operations in the sector and a pride to Nigeria.