NIMASA tasks members of ACWCN on development of coastal skills

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has challenged the leadership of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN, to empower its members on ‘coastal skills’, pending when opportunities would arise for employments and other forms of economically beneficial engagement.

Video Clip of the visit of ACWCN to NIMASA

Fresh Angle International can report that the Acting Coordinator of Central Zonal Operational Office of NIMASA in Warri, Mr. Friday Opuene, gave the challenge, Tuesday July 5, when the Agency played host to the leadership of the Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN.

Opuene, whose zone covers Delta, Edo and Ondo States, advised the executive of ACWCN to document their requests to the zonal office, for the necessary routing to the head office of NIMASA, assuring that requests considered to be reasonable and doable, will be properly addressed.

While noting that NIMASA had embarked on some community development projects in the past and would welcome suggestions on needs of communities, Mr. Opuene stated: “We are ready to relate with your body, especially if you will help to bring peace in our operational areas”.

Earlier in his speech, Delta State Chairman of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN, Engr. (Dcn.) Tuoyo Woligho, explained: “The idea for a platform or an Association for the Coastal and Waterways Communities in Nigeria, was conceived in the year 2019, by some credible and passionate indigenes of the Area who felt the pains of longtime exploitation, degradation and total neglect of these areas by successive government and their agencies and corporate organizations operating in this area.

Engr. Tuoyo Woligho, reading his address

“The sole purpose for this initiative is to Represent, Protect and Defend the interest of the community, also to promote sustainable peace, clean environment and improve condition of living in the Coastal and Waterways Communities in Nigeria, through peaceful dialogue and consultation with relevant authorities”.

Engr. Woligho, added: “We want to use this medium and privilege given to us to formally appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her agencies like the Ministry of Transport, NIMASA, NNPC, NPA, NIWA and others for the ongoing plans to dredge the Warri River from the Escravos bay down to Burutu, Warri, Koko and Sapele Ports.

Engr. Woligho (left) presenting documents cum requests of ACWCN to Mr. Opuene

“We commend and give our total support to Government on the laudable steps, we also request that the EPZ Project at Ogidigben, Escravos be included in the next Federal Government Budget for full scale execution. All these, if in place will restore social and economic activities back to the coastal and waterways communities In Nigeria and Delta State in particular.

“We want to solicit for your support and request for your consideration in the following areas in your establishment:

1. To be in good working relationship with your establishment

2. To assist in dredging our creeks, water channels, rivers and coastal waterways

3. To assist in providing speedboats for water transportation for the ease of the local dwellers

4. To assist in clearing water hyacinth taking over our creeks, water channels, rivers, coastal and waterways.

5. To consider us in your programmes (Corporate Social Responsibilities) to your host e.g. seminars, symposiums, scholarships, training, skill acquisition etc.

6. Employment in all categories of workers and Contracts etc.”.

The National President of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN, Comrade Nicholas Bawo Ighomi, who spoke in the same vein, disclosed that proposal was underway by the association to set up coastal and waterways security network, saying the necessary documentation will soon be transmitted to NIMASA.

×