The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) informed that it has deployed Marine Litter Marshals to help the Agency in cleaning the oceans of waste materials that cause problems to the environment, and also raise obstacles to the safety of navigation on Nigeria’s waters.
Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, inaugurated the first 120 marshals on the sustainable use of the ocean resources, noting that because there is a large number of activities that depend on the ocean, the need for them to be clean and properly utilised is great.
As international sources report, Mr. Peterside said that oceans are directly connected with Nigeria’s health and our economy. For this reason, the country has to stop dumping of materials in the ocean.
He also stated that marine litter affects ocean life, marine environment, human health, and navigational safety, with its potential affects expanding on the socio-economic aspect of nations.
Dakuku Peterside urgede the marshals to go to the ports, coastlines and littoral communities to shed light on the importance of maintaining clean oceans. Moreover, he called them to be vigilant and make sure that the right thing is done, in order to safeguard the, as NIMASA will not condone dumping of waste at sea.
From her side, the coordinator of the project and Deputy Director, Marine and Environment Management of NIMASA, Felicia Mogo mentioned that the initiative aims to ensure the waste management and especially prevent plastic waste and other dangerous items from reaching Nigerian waters.