NIMASA takes anti-stowaway campaign to Lagos riverine communities

By Hekmot-Olaseni Alakija

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified its campaign against stowaways by taking public awareness initiatives to riverine communities in Lagos.

This is made known in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by the Head of its Public Relations Department, Mr Edward Osagie.

According to Osagie, a NIMASA team visited Snake Island, Lagos, where it engaged community leaders, youths and residents on the dangers and legal consequences of stowing away on vessels.

He said the sensitisation campaign forms part of the agency’s efforts to curb the menace through sustained grassroots engagement and public enlightenment.

Osagie added that residents commended NIMASA for the initiative, describing the awareness campaign as timely, informative and impactful.

Leading the agency’s team, the Head of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Unit, Mr Mudi Isa, said stowaway incidents tarnish image of the country in the global maritime industry.

Isa reaffirmed the commitment of NIMASA to preventing the crime through continuous community engagement and awareness campaigns.

Isa noted that such campaigns aim at discouraging youths and other residents from engaging in the act.