The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has officially unveiled its service charter, in a strategic move towards fostering transparency and efficiency in the maritime sector.
The announcement was made during the launch ceremony of the NIMASA Service Charter and grievance redress mechanism, themed ‘Service Redefined’.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola highlighted the importance of the charter, referring to it as a roadmap to a future where the maritime sector becomes a beacon of excellence and a catalyst for sustainable development. Represented by the agency’s director of marine safety and security, Babatunde Bombata the minister emphasised the significance of this milestone in enhancing efficiency, transparency and customer focus within the maritime sector.
According to Oyetola, the maritime sector is a linchpin for trade, commerce and connectivity, not only nationally but also on the global stage. He recognised its pivotal role in economic development and livelihood support and stressed the need to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, transparency and accountability.
“This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance the efficiency, transparency and customer focus of the maritime sector. As the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, I am delighted to be part of this historic moment, which reaffirms our dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development,” said Oyetola.
He urged the public to embrace technological advancements and modernise practices to improve productivity and foster sustainable growth. Oyetola emphasised that the Service Charter symbolises a renewed commitment to service excellence, responsiveness and continuous improvement within NIMASA.
Furthermore, he revealed that NIMASA recently entered into a performance bond agreement for ministerial deliverables with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The service charter aligns with the overarching objectives outlined in the MDA Performance Management System (MPMS) and represents a public commitment by NIMASA to provide high-quality, efficient and transparent services to stakeholders.
The minister outlined that the Service Charter establishes clear expectations for stakeholders and provides a mechanism for NIMASA to measure its performance, ensuring that the agency meets industry and public needs. He stressed that the launch of the service charter signifies NIMASA’s commitment to raising its standards of service.
“Furthermore, recognising the dynamic nature of the maritime sector, we acknowledge the importance of adapting to evolving needs and expectations. It is essential to continuously enhance our services and processes to stay abreast of industry changes,” added Oyetola.
In his remarks, the director-general of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh highlighted the service charter as a paradigm shift in fulfilling the agency’s mandate. He emphasised that it signifies a significant step towards providing world-class services aligned with stakeholders’ needs.
“Our service charter outlines our promises to all those who interact with NIMASA, whether they are ship owners, seafarers, port operators, or members of the public. It sets clear standards for the quality of service they can expect from us and establishes mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement,” said Jamoh.
Under the service charter, NIMASA commits itself to enhancing the ease of doing business in the maritime sector and Nigeria at large. Jamoh stressed the agency’s accountability for delivering on promises and the importance of providing excellent service to stakeholders. He underlined the dedication to staff training and capacity building for delivering world-class service.
Jamoh called upon all members of the NIMASA family, including staff, partners and stakeholders across the maritime community, to embrace the vision of service excellence. Together, he urged them to redefine what it means to serve with commitment, accountability, professionalism, integrity, teamwork, excellence, leadership and dedication.
Jamoh encouraged the public to join the journey of redefining service, aiming to build a stronger, more vibrant maritime industry that serves the needs of all stakeholders and contributes to the prosperity of Nigeria. The NIMASA Service Charter is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming the maritime sector, ensuring transparency, efficiency and excellence in service delivery.
