NIMASA’s Reforms Rooted In Tech, Concession Claims False – Edward
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has dismissed recent reports suggesting the agency has handed over its operations through concession arrangements.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency described the allegations as “false and malicious,” blaming both internal and external actors seeking to benefit from inefficiencies in the current system.
“There is no iota of truth in these claims,” said Osagie Edward, Head of Public Relations at NIMASA. “This is the hand-work of some external and internal elements who have conspired to benefit from the current porous system.”
According to Edward, NIMASA’s ongoing internal reforms are rooted in the strategic adoption of technology to improve regulatory oversight, shipping development, and revenue generation. A key innovation under this agenda is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“Following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue,” Edward explained. “This is to ensure funds due government do not end up in private hands.”
MEMS enables real-time tracking of vessel movements, regulatory activities, and operational data through smart invoicing, automated alerts, and centralized integration. The system also enhances environmental safety and compliance through digital monitoring.
In particular, MEMS addresses gaps in waste reception services and marine pollution control, two areas previously hampered by manual processes and untracked operations.
“With MEMS, each waste offload can be logged, time-stamped, and automatically billed, converting previously missed opportunities into a consistent revenue stream while ensuring environmental standards are met,” Edward noted.
He added: “With the integration of modern surveillance systems, digital logbooks, and real-time alerts, NIMASA can now respond swiftly to [marine pollution] incidents, recover environmental damages, and hold polluters accountable—both legally and financially.”
The agency attributed previous revenue losses to “outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms,” which allowed loopholes to be exploited by vested interests.
The reforms, Edward emphasized, are part of a broader digital transformation agenda that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey,” Edward said. “The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.”
He also recalled that the now internationally acclaimed Deep Blue Project faced similar opposition at inception, underscoring the agency’s resolve to push through necessary reforms despite resistance.
