‘NIMASA DG’s Absence at NASS Panel Not AN Affront’

Abiola Seun & Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has explained reasons why its Director-General, Dr Dakuku Peterside could not appear before the National Assembly joint committee investigating activities of foreign vessel owners in the country on Tuesday.

In a press statement sent out by the deputy director, public relations of NIMASA, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi yesterday, the agency DG was receiving another delegate of the House of Representatives which took a tour of some of the newly acquired special mission vessels by the agency.

Recall that the investigative panel in Abuja on Tuesday had walked out the representatives of NIMASA led by Ahmed Gambo from the public hearing.

The panel threatened to sanction its Director-General, Dakuku Peterside, if he failed to honour the rescheduled meeting by appearing in person.

NIMASA has however explained that this action is not a deliberate affront on the national assembly.

The statement said, “Dr. Dakuku Peterside led other Management staff of the Agency to receive members of the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration who were on oversight visit to the Agency in Lagos.

“This was the reason the DG could not personally be in Abuja to honour the invitation by the National Assembly joint committee investigating activities of foreign vessel owners in the country.

“It is noteworthy that due to the clash of both schedules, NIMASA Management communicated same to the National Assembly joint committee investigating activities of foreign vessel owners in the country requesting for a change of date.

“However, a member of the Executive Management, the Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage services Mr Gambo Ahmed led the high-powered team to represent the Agency.

“NIMASA Management respects the National Assembly and will always respond to invitation from them,” the statement concluded.