The outgoing Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo at the weekend commissioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) skill acquisition centre in Zaria, Kaduna State, and a twin lecture theatre donated by the agency to state university. The skill acquisition centre has facilities such as electrical, mechanical, sewing, technical, and welding learning facilities, amongst others for youths and women.
The Minister said that these projects are part of the legacies of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to improve education as a basic need for economic development, and used the opportunity to commend NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and his management for the initiative.
Jamoh noted that the NIMASA skill acquisition centre is one of the facilities located across the six geo-political zones of the country. He also disclosed that higher institutions in all geo political zones of the country are benefitting from the agency under her Corporate Social Responsibility projects.
“Our desire as an agency is to ensure young Nigerians acquire skills to make them self-dependent thus productively engaged. We are also developing such centres in Niger, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Bayelsa and Rivers States. This is also aimed at fighting insecurity on land which will have a multiplier effect on security in the maritime domain”, he said.
The outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe noted the commitment of the state government to education and thanked NIMASA for completing the project in record time.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli commended NIMASA for citing the project in the Emirate Council, assuring that the centre would be maintained for the benefit of the people.
The Jamoh leadership has maintained focus in ensuring the Nigerian maritime sector takes its rightful place in the comity of maritime nations. Just recently, the agency commissioned five enforcement boats, four staff ferries and an ultramodern world class Search and Rescue based clinic, in addition to the commissioning of a permanent building, housing the agency’s Abuja office.
