The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have partnered to work with relevant industry stakeholders to formulate guidelines for submarine cable and pipeline operations in the economy.
The stakeholders plan to develop a regulatory framework to provide operational guidelines for Submarine Cable and Pipeline Operators in the West African country to advance the nation’s digital economy.
The officials of both NCC and NIMASA reached the agreement at a recent pre-audit meeting on submarine cable regulation held in Lagos.
Speaking during the meeting Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who chaired the meeting, noted that the Agency is committed to the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria while implementing International Conventions which the country has ratified and domesticated.
Jamoh said with Nigeria now a destination for global communication players, the time has come to prevent unregulated underwater cable laying, which might become hazardous to shipping in the country’s territorial waters.
According to him: “It is worthy to note that marine cable laying has been ongoing for over two decades in Nigerian waters.
“Our focus is to ensure safety of navigation of shipping in Nigerian waters with all these underwater cables being laid.”
He also added that “NIMASA is actually developing the guidelines to regulate submarine cable operators in line with the provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS; which we have ratified and NIMASA is the Agency of Government in Nigeria responsible for its implementation.
“We do not just implement laws; we consult.”
The Director-General further said: “Where the responsibility of an Agency stops, that is where the responsibilities of another Agency starts.
“Collaboration is a key component of ease of doing business in the best interest of the country and we will work closely with the NCC to achieve this.”
On his part, the Director-General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in attendance, Mr. Dasuki Arabi lauded the efforts., UNCLOS; which we have ratified and NIMASA is the Agency of Government in Nigeria responsible for its implementation.
“We do not just implement laws; we consult.”
The Director-General further said: “Where the responsibility of an Agency stops, that is where the responsibilities of another Agency starts.
“Collaboration is a key component of ease of doing business in the best interest of the country and we will work closely with the NCC to achieve this.”
On his part, the Director-General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in attendance, Mr. Dasuki Arabi lauded the efforts.
