Few weeks to the General elections at the International Maritime Organization, IMO, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been honored as the Best Maritime Agency of the Year 2009 in West Africa.

The award was bestowed on NIMASA at the West Africa Maritime Awards ( WAMA ) which took place in Accra, Ghana.

Presenting the Award, the Director General of the Port of Lome, who was represented by his Finance Director, Mr Wenega Jeremie said that NIMASA has been outstanding in the execution of its mandate especially in the area of Search and Rescue.

Mr Jeremie, who spoke in French, noted that NIMASA’s commitment to effective Search and Rescue on its waters has a positive multiplier effect on the West Africa sub-region. In his word “We in Togo are very proud of NIMASA. Your Search and Rescue activities have translated to safer navigation in the entire West African region. Please don’t relent in your efforts to make our waters the safest in the world”.

NIMASA’s Deputy Director Eastern Zone, Malam Sani Mohamed who received the award on behalf of the Agency, commended the entire West African Maritime Community for selecting the Agency as the best in the sub-region. He also stated that the award would further challenge workers of the Agency to continue to work together as a team and reposition Nigeria's maritime sector for greater efficiency

The award facilitators, Balm of Gilead Communications, cited the Agency’s anti-pollution campaign efforts, modernization of its Registry, highly effective marine emergency units that have enhanced Search & Rescue on Nigerian waters, the successful launch of a Seafarers Development Programme and the dogged fight against the activities of pirates and armed robbery on Nigerian territorial waters as some of the achievements which earned NIMASA the awards.

Other award winners on the night include the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, (NSC), Port of Lome, and the Port of Dakar, amongst others.