Reps Committee pledges support for repositioning NIMASA
NAN-H-31
Rebuilding
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has pledged continuous support for the rebuilding efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Mrs Lami Tumaka, Head of Communication Team for NIMASA, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Mohammed Bago, said the House would support NIMASA’s quest to reposition, reform and restructure the maritime industry for the benefit of the nation.
Bago also assured the agency of the committee’s unflinching support in ensuring the growth and development of the maritime sector, especially now that the country is in a recession.
He called on the management not to see their visit as punitive but as a wakeup call, noting that “in the 8thAssembly, the legislative agenda is the same.
“All of us apply the same approach now in trying to bring out the best in our parastatals.
“So, we should not be seen as vindictive or punitive but as partners in progress,’’ he said.
Bago, who challenged NIMASA’s management on the implementation of its 2016 budget, said the committee expected that its implementation would have surpassed 90 per cent at present.
He also charged the management to spend the funds appropriated according to the provisions of the law so that the value of the projects can be realised.
Responding, Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director-General of NIMASA, assured the committee of his readiness to cooperate with the legislature in the interest of the maritime industry and the country as a whole.
Peterside assured the committee of significant improvement in the operations of NIMASA, calling for synergy between the Executive and Legislative arms of government for the benefit of the country.
“The beauty of democracy is collaboration, synergy between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.
“It is not we versus them; we are all working for a single purpose to help Nigerians. We are working to help the Nigerian people to ensure that life is better for all our people.
“No single arm of government can do it alone; we must work in a collaborative manner”.
According to him, when you are given an assignment, you are expected to be accountable; you are expected to conduct the assignment in a transparent manner.
“The oversight function today is part of the accountability responsibility on our side.
“The National Assembly appropriates for us so we are expected to be accountable. And so we have given account of our stewardship.
“The National Assembly may not have been totally satisfied with what we have done but they appreciate that a lot is being done to change the narrative in NIMASA,’’ he said. (NAN)
OYS/MST/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola