By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt
The Executive Director of Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engr. Fatai Adeyemi, has reiterated the agency’s commitment to maintaining a clean offshore environment as Nigeria seeks to harness opportunities in the blue economy.
Adeyemi gave the assurance at a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on Offshore Waste Reception Facilities, themed “NIMASA’s Responsibilities and Statutory Obligation to Provide Offshore Waste Reception Facilities,” held in Port Harcourt.
He stressed that Nigeria’s offshore environment plays a critical role in powering industries and creating livelihoods, but warned that environmental challenges from offshore activities pose serious threats to marine ecosystems, navigational safety, and public health.
“The objective of today’s programme is to increase awareness and strengthen collaboration among all stakeholders—operators, regulators, service providers, and community representatives—to ensure that waste reception and disposal practices meet the highest environmental standards. By doing so, we are protecting our oceans while aligning with international best practices and maritime regulations,” Adeyemi said.
Also speaking, NIMASA’s Director of Marine Environment Management, Dimowo Heaky, described the initiative as a major step toward safeguarding ocean health and preventing intentional pollution. He emphasised that harmful waste such as oily residues, sewage, garbage, and noxious liquids remain significant threats to coastal communities and the global climate.
“Our mission is to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and best practices required to prevent marine pollution. MARPOL is more than an international convention—it is a pact between humanity and the oceans that sustain us,” Heaky said.
On his part, the Managing Director/CEO of XPO Marine, concessionaire for the Eastern Region Offshore Waste Reception Facilities, Mr. Wellington Agharese, highlighted the strategic importance of the region to Nigeria’s oil and gas operations.
“As concessionaire, this responsibility is not just operational but a collective commitment to safeguard our waters while enabling sustainable offshore energy development. Collaboration with regulators, IOCs, NOCs, and indigenous operators is essential to build a model of environmental compliance that strengthens Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market,” Agharese said.
The event underscored NIMASA’s resolve to promote environmental sustainability, enforce compliance with the MARPOL Convention, and position Nigeria’s maritime sector as a model of responsible practice in the global energy and shipping industries.
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