Amaechi, Obaseki commend NIMASA DG’s leadership style—“He has reduced NIMASA’s operating cost by 50%”

Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has described the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside as an epitome of good governance and great character, evident in his leadership style.

The Minister stated this in Port Harcourt, River State at the weekend during an event, which was put together by friends and associates of Dr. Peterside to mark his birthday.

Hon. Amaechi said the fact that the Management of NIMASA has been able to reduce running cost by over 50% in one year, and significantly improve revenue generation and remittance for the Federal Government is mainly due to the reliable and transparent disposition of the current management team of the Agency, which is driven and spurred by Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

“By their character, we shall know them. I remember when I was told that Dakuku will be a sell-out when we were vying for governorship under Dr. Peter Odili. Today, he is the only one remaining among those I can call my political allies. NIMASA has reduced running cost significantly and improved revenue generation to the Federal Government simply because the man, Dakuku, is not corrupt. He is not greedy, and he is a contented fellow. He is a transparent character and fits perfectly well within the common agenda of the current national government.”

He commended Peterside for his turnaround and re-engineering strategies and efforts in NIMASA, noting that his appointment has given a facelift to not just the Agency but the maritime sector- With NIMASA now attracting commendation from the Federal government, through the Minister of Finance and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as the highest revenue remitting Agency in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki described Dr. Dakuku Peterside as a statesman in the making, considering his antecedents in politics and public service.

According to him, “I followed him (Peterside) during his campaigns and I saw the passion and energy he exuded. He really showed that he had what it takes to govern the state. Today the narrative at NIMASA has changed simply because the appointment of the Director General is a round peg in a round hole”.

While commending the NIMASA DG for associating the Agency with good and positive new narratives, he regretted that Rivers State lost a great opportunity to tap into his managerial acumen, prowess and development-oriented policies.

The Edo governor was however quick to add that the state has another opportunity to give Peterside a chance to change the state for the better as 2019 beckons.