The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, on Wednesday urged Nigerians, especially those living in the coastal regions, to protect the marine environment.
This is contained in a statement in Lagos by the Head of Corporate Communications Team of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka.
According to the statement, Peterside said this in commemoration of the “World Ocean Day”.
He said that this year’s theme “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet’’ which emphasised the creation of awareness on the harmful effects of plastics to water bodies, was very germane.
The director-general said, “Given the wanton deposition of plastics and plastic materials into water.”
He called on well-meaning Nigerians to champion the campaign for the protection of the marine environment, adding that this had a lot of positive socio-economic impact on human life.
“We join the rest of the world in the efforts to promote the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the ocean,’’ the director-general.
He said, “The marine environment that covers about 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is essential for food security, health and survival of life and is a critical part of the biosphere, ’’
According to Peterside, the official designation of World Ocean Day, therefore, is an opportunity for us to raise awareness on the current global challenges to the ocean.
The director-general urged Nigerians to help save the ocean by ensuring that waterways were free of debris and every kind of pollution that poses dangers to the sea and its inhabitants.
“The management and protection of Nigeria’s marine environment from activities inimical to its eco-balance is one of the key functions of NIMASA.
“The mandate, which is executed through several international conventions and protocols as ratified by the Federal Government.
“Nigeria’s commitment to full enforcement of the MARPOL ‘73/’78 Convention, London Convention ‘72 and the London Protocol ‘96 as well as BALLAST WATER 2004 is unwavering,’’ Peterside said.
The World Ocean Day is celebrated on June 8 every year, to create awareness for the protection and conservation of the marine environment from litters and other harmful practices.
