The Federal Government has set up a 13-member Inter-Agency Maritime Operations Coordination Committee (IMOCC) aimed at improving safety in the maritime industry.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee yesterday at the State House, Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the move is part of government's efforts at ensuring a safe maritime industry.

The Chairman of the Committee is Rear Admiral Ogbo of the Nigerian Navy.

Members of the committee are Mr. M.S. Nagogo, Barr. Buhari Bello, Mrs. O.O. Moore, Air Comdr. Jalingo Atiku, ACP Friday Ibadin and Mr. Shehu Ahmed.

Others are Mr E. I. Edorhe, Comptroller Kevin Vongman, Engr. Philip Chukwu, Capt. Warrendi Enisuoh, Jamil Muktar Tahir and Engr. O.O Balogun.

Sambo said the committee was part of the Federal Government's efforts at providing security for the maritime sector in view of its importance to the nation's economic growth.

He charged all agencies in the industry to shun rivalry and embrace cooperation as there was an inextricable linkage between maritime security and national prosperity.

He also charged them to provide monthly report on the status of the maritime sector to the Presidency.

In his remarks, Ogbo assured that the members would bring their experiences to bear in the discharge of their duties.

The terms of reference of the committee are to identify and address factors that had sustained illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the petroleum industry and to identify and address the factors that enable illegal entry of ships into Nigerian waters.