Blessing Onumajuru
29 October 2009
In continuation of her efforts to effectively control Pollution on Nigerian waters, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has taken delivery of two (2) Scavenger Boats named "MV TURAI" and "MV PATIENCE"
The Agency's Director General, Mr. Temisan Omatseye, who took delivery of the Scavenger Boats re emphasized the commitment of NIMASA to effectively controll pollution on the nation's water ways.
While noting that the marine environment is experiencing a rapid depletion of its natural resources due to pollution, NIMASA DG said that the responsibility of taking care of the environment belongs to all Nigerians. In his words, "the earth is ours and I will implore all Nigerians to consciously take care to protect the Nigerian maritime environment. We need to change our orientation towards dumping of refuse in the water."
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Mr. Ade Ajakaiye expressed the commitment of his Agency to Inter-Agency collaboration with NIMASA to ensure that pollution on Nigerian waters are promptly detected and immediate response measures carried out.
The Director for Maritime Partnership Programme from the United States Navy, Admiral Tim Moon noted that the US Government will work with NIMASA in Pollution Prevention and Control.
On his part, the Executive Director Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, NIMASA, Mr. Ishaku Shekarau, said that the Scavenger Boats were acquired to fulfill the promise made by the Federal Ministry of Transport, shortly after the Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast incident in year 2001.
In his words " the then Minister of Transport, Ojo Maduekwe during his condolence visit to the people of Lagos state had announced that the Ministry will acquire modern boats to combat the water hyacinth menace.
The Scavenger Boats are equipped with water cannon that will be effective in fire fighting and also shore cleaning. The boats have the ability to decontaminate water. The boats can also carry out patented oxy-plus water treatment system, and aeration process to bulky waste and floating debris collection.
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