The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, has been re-appointed for another four year term.

The re-appointment was conveyed in a letter by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SSG, Anyim Pius Anyim, and becomes effective December 23, 2014.

In a statement signed by the deputy director, public relations of NIMASA, Isichie Osamgbi, the re – appointment has been widely accepted to be a form of recognition of Akpobolokemi’s outstanding performance as the director general of the agency in past four years.

“In his first term, Akpobolokemi repositioned the maritime sector and made it an important pillar in the nation’s economy,” the statement stated.

His activities were said to have improved maritime safety, created an enabling environment for maritime business leading to a remarkable development in the maritime sector.

It also stated that the capacity building initiatives of Akpobolokemi’s leadership have resulted in the setting up of Institutes of Maritime Studies in the University of Lagos, UNILAG, University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State and Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa State as a way of boosting manpower training in the long run.