The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has highlighted that despite Nigeria’s significant investment in maritime security, the country continues to pay War Risk Insurance Premiums on cargoes bound for Nigeria.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola made this statement on Thursday in Lagos while receiving a team from the Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mobereola urged the international community to reconsider the continued payment of these premiums on Nigeria-bound cargoes, despite the significant reduction in piracy in the nation’s waters.
Represented by Chudi Offodile, the Executive Director of Finance & Administration, Mobereola emphasized that NIMASA is working closely with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. He announced that the agency has been engaging in capacity development programs in partnership with the centre and expressed hope for further collaboration on issues such as conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and maritime security.
“Despite these efforts, Nigeria has not seen a corresponding reduction in the War Risk Insurance premium or the cost of freight movement,” Mobereola stated.
The NIMASA DG also expressed interest in fostering exchange programs with the Danish Maritime Institution to enhance knowledge sharing. He noted that after various training initiatives, there has been a noticeable improvement in maritime reporting by Nigerian media practitioners.
Mobereola underscored the critical role of the media in raising maritime awareness and confirmed that NIMASA would continue to support capacity-building efforts in this area. Additionally, he pointed out that the agency is closely monitoring how the international community responds to Nigeria’s efforts in tackling maritime insecurity.
