The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it remains committed to curbing offshore waste as part of efforts to grow the country’s blue economy.
Fatai Adeyemi, executive director of operations at NIMASA, spoke on Monday at a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on offshore waste reception facilities in Port Harcourt.
Adeyemi said Nigeria’s offshore environment is central to economic growth, powering industries and livelihoods, but warned that waste from offshore operations poses serious threats to marine life, public health, and navigational safety.
“The objective of today’s programme is to increase awareness and strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure waste reception and disposal meet the highest environmental standards,” he said.
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“By doing so, we are not only protecting our oceans but also aligning with global best practices and international maritime regulations.”
Adeyemi added that the agency is determined to sustain measures that support a cleaner environment and ensure compliance with global conventions.
Dimowo Heaky, director of marine environment management at NIMASA, said the initiative marks a crucial step towards protecting the country’s marine resources.
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Heaky noted that every form of ship-borne waste including oily residues and sewage and noxious liquids threatens ecosystems and coastal communities.
He enphasised the need to translate regulations into practical compliance.
Wellington Agharese, managing director of XPO Marine, the concessionaire for offshore waste reception facilities in Nigeria’s eastern region, said the project is both an operational mandate and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
He said collaboration between regulators, international oil companies, national oil companies, and local operators is key to making Nigeria a global model for offshore environmental compliance.
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