The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Shipping institute gets new leaders

    The Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) has elected new officers to pilot its affairs for two years.

    Capt. Anthony Onoharigho, the president, and other members of his executive have been decorated by the life patron and trustee of the institute, Caleb Okoye.

    Speaking after his inauguration,  Onoharigho promised to reposition the institute.

    ‘I am here to serve and turn the institute around. What I want to do, which I have already started, is to relocate the institute from where it is today, because trucks and others have blocked the entrance to the institute.

    “As far as I am concerned, I know we are planning to get a place and wherever the place is, it doesn’t matter. But we are still going to be in Apapa. This area will come back to what it is used to be, the entrance to both Tin Can and Apapa ports are in a very bad state now. So, once these problems are solved by the Federal Government, there will be free entrance to the ports, then Apapa will turn to what it is used to be.

    “NIMASA, Shippers’ Council and the NPA are still here, those are the people that are controlling the maritime industry and they are still there, so where are we running to? So we will still be in Apapa,” he said.

    He continued:“My main priority is to charter the institute, if you look at the position of the institute from the onset; we have a President, who stayed there for 16 years as president. Sixteen years is not a joke; a child of 16 years is already in the secondary school. Now that I have been elected as the fourth president, my first project and I will ask God to help me, is to make a change and charter the institute. So, the first stage is to look for a befitting accommodation that whenever you come you will know that it is an institute. The location doesn’t matter and the next step is to get chartered and when we do that people will have value for their membership.”

    He expressed appreciation to former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori for his encouragement, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dakuku Peterside and NPA  management for their support.

    In his address, Chief Okoye said the event was successful with the induction of new members, election of new officers and award of fellowship of the institute on notable Nigerians.

    The Secretary of the group, Mr Elufioye Segun commended the committee and urged other members to support them.

     

  • Importers, agents urge govt to invest in infrastructure

    How can Nigeria become a hub of maritime operations in West and Central Africa? It is by getting the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to develop new port facilities comparable to none in the sub-region.

    Importers’ and clearing agents made this suggestion at a forum in Lagos.

    According to their spokesperson, Sesan Abolarinwa, it is imperative for the government to promote the maritime industry to benefit from the increasing cargo traffic across the globe.

    New facilities, Abolarinwa, Bolas Motors Managing Director, said should be designed by the Ministry of Transport to meet the logistics needs of the industry in anticipation of future development.

    He called on the government to fund maritime researches, saying the sector lacked in-depth investigation due to poor funding.

    ‘‘The maritime industry has experienced an appreciable development in recent years. That development is set to stay. World trade continues to shift global markets and production lines make new demands on transport systems and on ports in particular.

    ‘‘Ports serve the national interest, supporting the competitiveness of national and regional economies. It is in the nation’s interest that our ports remain able to handle cargo trade and its potential development efficiently and sustainably,” he said.

    The maritime industry, according to Abolarinwa, was in dire need of a number of reforms. “New port facilities would help to bring the industry to international  standards. The importers lamented that previous administrations, like most practitioners in the maritime industry, did not live by the rules guiding the profession, which they said has resulted in a number of problems in the sector.

    “The maritime industry requires reforms; reform by way of standardising, educating, informing, sanitising the practice and making it global because the mere mention of the words import and export trade means we are not doing it locally, but across borders. Therefore, there are set rules, information and knowledge that  operators must possess,” he said.

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said the maritime industry has project for rapid and sustainable growth.

    “Based on this development and the strategic position Nigeria occupy in the industry and the sub-region for the development of human capital for an enhanced economy, it is expected of the government to train our youth to develop interest in maritime education,” Shittu said.

    To meet the manpower requirement for the nation’s fleet, Shittu also canvassed for robust, consistent, versatile and dynamic maritime policies, which are in tandem with global issues to ensures efficiency.

    He lamented that the country, despite its huge population, has no standard maritime institute compared to countries such as the Philippines, which he said, has over 40 maritime academies with half of the population.

    The Philippines, Shittu said supplies over 30 per cent of the world’s seafarers’ requirement.

    He noted that the Philippines earn over $1.6 billion from reparation from seafarers.

    Shittu emphasised the need for a training school to develop competent manpower for the sector, adding that the industry would grow if the government co-opted the private sector into its manpower development strategy.

    A stakeholder, Mr Benson Adegboyega, called on the Federal Government to formulate a new policy that would promote business at the ports.

    This, according to him, requires strengthening regional commitment to eradicating sub-standard shipping and ensure the rapid development of the industry.

  • History as Nigeria produces first woman crane operator in Africa

    History as Nigeria produces first woman crane operator in Africa

    Nigeria has made history by producing the first woman mobile harbour crane operator in Africa.

    She is Taiwo Omotayo Oni, who was unveiled in Lagos last Friday.

    She was trained by owners of the Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) which also trained four other women on how to handle Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) cranes at the Lagos and other ports in the world. The others are Adewale Adegoroye, Adeniran Maltid, Tina Onwudiwe and Ajayi Oluwaseun.

    Speaking with The Nation inside the cabin of the harbour crane, TICT Managing Director Mr Etienne Rocher said the women were trained based on the support given them by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman.

    TICT, Rocher said, spent over 75,000 Euros (about N35 million) on the women’s training outside the country. The amount, he said, excluded other logistic during the training.

    Rocher said RTG was a mobile gantry crane used for stacking intermo-dal containers within the staking areas of a container terminal

    NPA, he said, had become the number one port in Africa to train female operators that can handle giant cranes across the globe.

    “They are the first set of women to be trained in heavy duty cranes operation in Africa.

    “What is interesting is that we are able to bring in women operators into our industrial equipment conduct.

    “This is an additional opportunity for women in Nigeria and also a role model within and beyond the continent that women can actually turn into equipment operator in what has traditionally been a man dominated industry.

    “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and Nigeria is also showing the way for women employment into the port industry.

    “So it is setting the pace for others within Nigeria and Africa as well. It is showing that there is a way to show the mind-sets not on gender but on capability merit.

    “Direct training cost was 15,000 Euros for each of them.

    “Our company is committed to investing in the port and making significant contributions to port development in Nigeria,” Rocher said.

    NPA’s Managing Director said she was elated after Oni operated the world-class cranes in full gear of the press.

    The harbour crane which Oni operated at the TICT is about 30 meters above ground.

    High up in her cabin, Oni, who was a former employee of the GT Bank has a view over the Lagos water.

    One of the first advantages of the harbour cranes she operates is that they can stack so many containers. To recover a container stored in the middle of a block, the crane, from where it stands, she will just have to position its handle and remove the container easily.

    From her 30 meter to the ground cabin, Oni also communicates with other operators and the management via a fantastic onboard IT system. She also receives her mission orders in real time on the screen to her left.

    “I always feel happy when I see myself handling this big and giant equipment. I will always be grateful to TICT for investing in me the opportunity of being the first female in Africa to operate a harbour crane. It is  a very big opportunity which I pray other terminal operators in the country will key into to bring more women into the shipping sector.

    “When I use this  huge crane to load and unload, I am always proud of myself and the company that gave me this unique opportunity to tell the world that what a man can do, a woman can do better. Once you put your mind in it, you can do it. So, men should not feel they are the only one that can do the jobs,” Oni said.

    With a sigh of relief and big smile and hand shake with the NPA’ s Managing Director, she turns back to her work while a breeze from the Lagos lagoon cools the air.

    While Oni used the crane in stacking and positioned some 40ft containers inside the terminal,  Usman said her training with four other female RTG operators would eliminate the men dominated venture and urged  women in the country to take up career in the shipping cum maritime business.

    She assure importers and other stakeholders of effective service delivery and promised to make the nation’s seaports world standard.

    Usman said the current management would do all within its powers to ensure that the Lagos ports and all other seaports across the country lived up to expectations of the government, the stakeholders and the business community.

    NPA, she said, is committed to promoting efficiency to ensure keen competition with neighbouring ports.

    Usman said the training of many Nigerians in handling highly technical equipment like cranes, RTGs and automation of the services at the ports was necessary to drive the change needed to reform the sector.

    She said  the deployment of modern equipment and automation would enhance efficiency, decrease waste and save cost.

    The Managing Director, com-mended TICT for the initiative and assured them of their further support.

    “I am happy to see that this is happening after I was appointed as the first female Managing Director of NPA. I will like to see more women being engaged in port operation activities. TICT has done something very impressive with the fact that they have realised the skill and capacity of women.

    “I look forward to seeing more women actively engaged in port operation. I believe Nigeria as the giant of Africa is trail- blazing today by having women operating RTGs so we will continue to lead the pace in Africa.’’

     

  • How to promote sea safety, by oil chief

    How to promote sea safety, by oil chief

    Over 500 boat operators have been trained on maritime safety in Lagos.

    The training was organised by the Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited to promote safety around the port areas and at sea.

    Addressing the operators, Total Deputy Managing Director, Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Ahmadu-Kida Musa said they must know what to do when they are trading along the channel where big vessels are also operating.

    The objective of the training, according to him, is to reduce accidents on Lagos waters and across the country.

    Musa, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, Dr. Nkoyo Attah, said Total decided to implement the marine awareness campaign to enlighten the operators and promote safety at sea.

    “The campaign focuses on safety which is our core value to us at Total, but it is also a demonstration of our commitment to promoting safety best practices, environmental protection, business ethics and corporate social responsibility everywhere we work.

    “In the course of doing business, Total has deliberately fashioned out some initiatives which are aimed at giving back to the Nigerian society and this maritime awareness campaign is one of such initiatives.”

    The guest speaker, Mr. Felix Nlerum disclosed that 80 per cent of boat accidents were caused by human error, adding that most times these accidents were avoidable.

    Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with The Nation after the training, hailed Total for its efforts. They urged the company to focus its next training programme on midstream transfer of passengers by boat operators and the need for them to move away from the channel leading to the port to stem the cycle of criminalities around the area.

    One of the operators, Mr Joseph Adewale thanked the company  for the knowledge impacted on them.

    About 150 fire extinguishers were given freely to the operators by the Total to reduce fire accident while embarking on their trade.

     

  • Easing tensions on ease of doing business rules

    Easing tensions on ease of doing business rules

    THERE is no doubt about the government’s good intentions in rolling out the executive orders on the ease of doing business in the country in order to enhance foreign direct investments (FDIs). But to analysts, the expected rise in the inflow of FDIs may be a mirage, if the relevant agencies fail in the discharge of their assignments. They note that the face-off between a oil firm, Intels Nigeria Limited (INL) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) is not good for the policy’s quest to attract FDIs.

     

    Issues

    The bone of contention between the parties is the alleged refusal to renew Intels’ 2017 Operating License, which it has paid for. The Free Zone Authority is insisting on INL paying all charges and fees before it gets the license. Besides, there are issues of imposition of land charges on INL, nullification of its Industry Wide Standard Tariff (IWST) and other port related charges and the alleged campaign of calumny against it. There are also claims that Intels has not been paid for the use of its facilities at Onne and Heliconia Park Estate. The crisis is said to be taking its toll on INL, which sources say, is contemplating going to court.

     

    Distraction

    Watchers are afraid that the disagreement may send a wrong signal to extant and prospective foreign investors that consider Intels as a model of a successful FDI. They note that the authority’s role does not tally with that of the government at attracting and boosting investment in Nigeria particularly in the oil and gas sector.

     

    Accomplishments

    Intels has overtime made an impact in the oil and gas sector, real estate, concessioning of projects and maritime, where it has set up a model port in the country. As the government forges ahead in its quest to woo more foreign investors through its reforms to enhance the ease of doing business, it should also sensitise its agencies which will implement the policy to be transparent because would-be investors are watching.

     

    Licence renewal

    In the interest of fair play and justice, the government is under obligation to renew INL free zone licence which it paid for after filing the 2016 annual returns along with other formalities. This is imperative because the land charges being disputed by INL are not due until the dispute is settled.

    In order not to cripple INL’s operations, it should be paid the  $27,548.85 and N24,912,510.42, which it is being owed for services  provided as well as $1,719,246.28 for the use of its facilities at various locations in Onne, Heliconia Park Estate, Aba Road Estate both in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Warri, Delta State.

     

    Lease payment

    On the issue of lease and sub-lease surcharge, which is still in dispute, Intels should be excluded from the payment by  the interpretation of Section 14 of the Free Zone (Tariffs & Other Charges) Order 2015, which exempts concessionaires like INL from OGFZA’s charges. According to the provision, the tariffs are only applicable to individual licensees. Moreover, since Intels got the premises it occupies in the ports from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), experts say OGFZA cannot administer the land, which is owned by NPA.

     

    Conclusion

    In the interest of the parties, the oil and gas sector and the need to further attract FDIs, OGFZA and INL should begin talks on how to resolve the matter amicably. They should not play politics with the issue in the larger society interest.

     

    Jooda is a Lagos-based public analyst

  • Govt urged to link dry ports, TTPs with rail

    Govt urged to link dry ports, TTPs with rail

    The Federal Government has been urged to link the Lagos seaports, six approved Inland Dry Ports  (IDPs) and the proposed Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) with rail.

    Stakeholders who spoke with The Nation on the sideline of  a breakfast meeting organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in collaboration  with the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT), in Lagos, said the government needed to link the IDPs and the TTPs with rail to complement the efforts of the NSC in promoting investment in the projects across the country.

    The theme of the event was: Financing Transport Infrastructure, Inland Dry Ports and Truck Transit Parks.

    The IDPs were designed by the NSC as ports of origin for exports, and destination for imports and to ease transportation of cargoes from the seaports to the hinterland and even landlocked neighbouring countries through adequate funding.

    Also, the proposed establishment of the TTPs  by the NSC through the private sector, stakeholders said, also needs the support of the federal, state and local governments for it to be financed adequately since road transport accounts for over 90 per cent of all freight and passenger movement in the country.

    The TTPs and IDPs are being promoted by the NSC and will be built, managed and owned by private investors.

    One of the stakeholders, Mr Segun Oladipupo, decried the movement of goods from Lagos seaports to various parts of the country by trucks.

    He said ICDs and TTPs will be more effective if they are linked by rail.

    Oladipupo added that an effective rail system would ease the movement of goods and persons from Lagos ports to other parts of the country and decongest the ports, whose facilities and link roads had been overstretched.

    Also, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) said it was happy that the NSC came up with the initiative of constructing TTPs and IDPs.

    Its National Public Relation Officer (PRO), Dr Kayode Farinto, said the initiative was well conceived and urged stakeholders to support the projects.

    “Aside from creating more job for Nigerians, the  linkage will increase the cargo throughput (imports and exports) of the ports and make it attractive for business.

    “The IDPs  will be to the advantage of Nigerian importers and exporters if they receive cargo directly from bigger vessels. But the problem on our roads will continue if the government fails to link the two facilities by rail,’’ Oladipupo said.

    Meanwhile, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Prof Wole Soyinka and others praised NSC Executive Secretary Mr Hassan Bello for bringing to the front burner investment opportunities in the two projects.

    Speaking at the breakfast meeting, Prof Osinbajo, who was represented by his Senior Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr Kolade Sofolahan, said the nfrastructure deficit presented  opportunities that  must be tapped.

    “We have infrastructural oppor-tunities not a problem in Nigeria. It’s a huge opportunity that everyone should come together to develop a strategy to take advantage of. It is described as crisis, problem but I see it as an opportunity. We have to think about how to grow our roads, TTP and IDP in a way that it is integrated to diversify our economy,”  Osinbajo said.

    Shippers Council, the Vice President said, deserves commen-dation because adequate financing and development of the ICDs and TTPs will create employment and  boost the economy.

    The Federal Government, Prof Osinbajo said, is determined to create a conducive environment for business to thrive, urging local and foreign investors  to tap into the ICDs and TTPs financing.

    Nigeria, Osinbajo insisted, does not have infrastructure deficit but opportunities to be tapped by various investors.

    Nobel Laurate Prof Wole Soyinka also praised the Council for bringing the government, investors and stakeholders together to address the problems confronting the transportation sector of the  economy.

    Soyinka criticised the poor state of troads and called on federal, state and local governments to pay adequate attention to roads.

    “If only it were a mask, a mere carnivalesque costume of macabre design donned by a nation intoxicated by the oil boom, Carcasses of dogs, sheep, goats and chickens, even the occasional cow, or the piles of merchandise strew prodigally on kerbsides, rooting farm produce mashed into the tar, fibre baskets violently ripped open from impact, night and day, and the tell-tale sight of unpaired shoes, stained caps, a necklace, watch or bangle, a floral wrapper and the patches of caked blood, even morsels of human flesh, overlooked or simply ignored-this had become the daily visage of the Nigerian road.

    “How is it possible that day after day, human conveyances, seeing what has gone on before, with all the evidence around them, continue to get sucked into these orifices and armpits of the earth till the very air reeks with carrion. The answer is not hidden, it is loudly propagated in the very conduct of those in whose charge so much humanity is repeatedly entrusted,” Soyinka said.

    He also flayed motorists whom he accused of not being ready to learn and observe protocols while using the roads.

    The Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi,  said the Federal Government was focusing on linking the various transport modes to strengthen intermodal transport of goods and passengers.

    “Government has approved the   concession and the establishment of six Inland Container Depots across the geo-political zones at Erummu, Ibadan in South West, Isiala-Ngwa,Aba in the South East, Funtua, in Katsina and Zawachiki, Kano in the North West, Heipang, Jos in North Central and Jauri, Maiduguri in North East.

    “These projects are at various stages of construction. Construc-tion work at the recently conces-sion Kaduna ICNL dry port has been completed and are awaiting inauguration to commence operations.” Amaechi said.

    To facilitate the speedy delivery of TTPs, Amaechi  said, feasibility study has been conducted for their establishment at Lokoja, Obollo-Afor, Ogere, Jebba, Port Novo creek and Umunede.

    “These locations and other to be identified from time to time in addition to the Ore Sunshine City and the ones being planned by the Kaduna State Government are alternative strategies to address the menance of truck congestion at the seaports and the indiscrimminate parking on road corridors across the country.

    The Minister added that the ICDs have been designated as consoli-dation centres for export of non-oil agricultural commodities and solid minerals products.

    “I intend to very soon direct the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to open talks with the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to obtain export pro-cessing zone status for the ICDs.”In the ICDS, there are great opportunities for investments, added values including ware-housing, commodity processing, packaging among others,” he said.

     

  • Address shortage of qualified mariners, govt told

    The  Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has expressed concern over  the shortage of qualified mariners.

    Its newly-elected President, Capt Tajudeen Owolabi Alao, bemoaned the situation while addressing reporters after their annual general meeting at the weekend.

    The meeting and the election were held at their permanent secretariat, Lakowe Golf Course Road, Abule Panh, Epe/ Lekki Expressway, Lagos.

    Alao listed the challenges facing seafarers such as lack of adequate training and sea time in addition to the liquidation of the national carrier in 1995.

    According to him, the reason the country is confronted with shortage of mariners is that “we do not have a national fleet.”

    “There are a lot of opportunities for them in the fishery sector, on offshore rigs; there are offshore vessels, which service offshore rigs and platforms and sea-point mooring buoys.

    “There are also pilotage opportunities for them in the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA) for those who like to work in harbours and they also have opportunities in NIMASA, in the Ministry of Transport and even now in schools.

    “They have opportunities in universities, schools of Navigation and many companies like Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Dangote and Green lines and such other big conglomerates.

    “They have vessels servicing their affairs like bulk cargo, bulk cement, fertiliser, bulk rice, bulk sugar and many other items like that.

    “So, these are all areas where seamen can fit in. It is very vast. The problem is that we are not sufficiently organised to tap the potential of all these areas of endeavour.’’

    He recalled that in the 1970s, the Nigerrian Ports Authority (NPA) engaged many Nigerian mariners.  He said the training that was offered by the NNSL were hands-on and that many of the trained seafarers were engaged on board NNSL vessels, while many worked in various maritime organisation, both onshore and offshore.

    “Talking about manpower, in the 1970’s, NPA empowered Pakistanis, Egyptians and Indians as pilots but when NNSL came in they started very aggressive seafarers training. “

    He said  the NNSL was offering adequate training for seafarers in collaboration with NPA.

    He said the duo “trained so many master mariners and engineers who were not only working in the maritime industry, but they were also working for the NNSL, they joined oil companies and even some of them went overseas”.

     

     

     

    “Any country without a national fleet cannot train their seafarers and this is why those of us that were trained  under the Nigerian National Shipping Line ( NNSL) as mariners are ageing.

    “The shortage of mariners is not only applicable to Nigeria alone. It is a worldwide phenomenon.

    “Generally, in most countries of the world, we have shortage of mariners. That is why the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has a campaign called ‘Go to Sea Campaign,’’ Olopoenia said.

    The mariner said the campaign would encourage more people to go to sea because “training of seafarers is very time-consuming and it requires a lot of infrastructure’”

    Alao said that a documents consisting of recommendations on how to solve the problem of shortage of mariners had been articulated and sent to the Federal Ministry of Transport since 2014.

    The recommendation, he said, covers so many facets such as: government policy, private involvement, training of cadets, acquisition of ships, practical training for seafarers and examination procedures.

    “We are still expecting the government to go through the document, liaise with the agencies involved and call us to deliberate on some of the recommendations in the document,’’ he said.

    He noted that some people were parading themselves as seafarers but were not in the real sense of it qualified because they had no certificate of competence to work on board ships.

    The mariner also told reporters that the association needs the support of the government, its agencies and other stakeholders to make their new secretariat a world-lass.

    Another member of the group, Capt Niyi Adedokun urged the government to put into use the vast potential of maritime life to boost the economy..

    “The maritime aspect of life in Nigeria is quite vast and the Federal Government in collaboration with the private sector needs to tap the benefits to boost the economy.

     

  • Ship owners seek govt support

    The   Federal Government has been urged to support indigenous shipping companies to grow and compete favourably with their counterparts in other climes.

    The President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr Greg Ogbeifun  made the call in Lagos while briefing reporters on the activities of the group since the year.

    The Federal Government, its agencies and many Nigerians, he  said, will benefit from well-developed indigenous capacity if the government supports them through the disbursement of the Cabotage Fund.

    He identified the fall in crude oil prices as the major factor affecting their businesses in the oil and gas sector.

    Most of their vessels, he said, are now laid up without jobs and the few ones still engaged are working for such low charter rates that many owners can barely break even.

    He said the inauguration of the Cadetship Training Berths scheme has generated interest such that SOAN is now being approached by various organisations and individuals requesting for their candidates to be given a place in the scheme for sea- time training and the applicants have expressed their willingness to pay for such opportunities.

    The group, he said, will hold a workshop on December 7.

    The forum, he said, will bring together, ship owners  to examine  measures by which the fortune of the maritime sector can be improved and boost the  economy.

    The theme of the event, according to him,  will be Giving Critical Life-line to the Nigerian Maritime Industry.

    Expected at the forum are the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Transportation Minister Roimi Amaechi, NIMASA Director Dr  Dakuku Peterside, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Hassan Bello, chief executives of the banking industry.

    Mrs. Mfon Usoro, a former Director-General of NIMASA is expected to present a paper, among others.

  • Amaechi urged to promote ship repair facility

    Amaechi urged to promote ship repair facility

    Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi has been urged to promote the establishment of  indigenous ship repair and dry docking facility. This will enable the country to reap the benefits of the Blue economy and generate employment for the youth.

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) President  Olayiwola Shittu, who made the call, said it was regrettable that Nigeria has no functional ship repair and dry docking firms.

    He praised the government for appointing an Israeli firm to police the nation’s maritime domain and the subsequent agreement to train the Navy and other  security agencies to take over the job after the expiration of the contract.

    Amaechi, Shittu said, deserves stakeholders’ support and encouragement  for the positive steps taken to promote the maritime sector.

    Shittu told The Nation that Nigeria the ships coming to Africa, adding that no fewer than 5,000 vessels called at the nation’s seaports last year. He said with modern repair facilities, the sector could rake in billions of naira and create jobs.

    Most of the vessels operating in Nigeria’s territorial waters, he said, go to the neighbouring countries for dry docking and other routine maintenance, which he said, is at a huge loss to the country.

    He bemoaned the rate of pollution of the nation’s territorial waters and urged the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to address the issue of illegal fishing and dumping of hazardous wastes in the waters.

    The ANLCA helmsman said the dumping of toxic wastes in the maritime domain and the perpetuation of crimes on the coastline require the collaboration and commitment of the Federal Government and NIMASA, with foreign partners to build a safe maritime sector.

    Shittu noted that security experts around Africa have developed theories to check the increasing dumping of hazardous wastes and the menacing piracy, adding that Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand have set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

    He observed that the insecurity on Africa’s waterways forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

    “This significant maritime presence requires that ship repairs with dry docks of varying capacities be established to cope with the maintenance requirement of these vessels. Classification society rules and the good maintenance of ships require that ships be dry docked every 30 months on the average for routine surveys.

    “Special surveys are required at every alternative docking that is once in three years. As the age of a vessel increases, so does the amount of repair work needed. Aside from routine docking, vessels need to come to propeller and ship hull, or damaged caused by ropes or debris, and mechanical breakdown.

    “Sadly, the ship repairs industry in Nigeria is under-developed and its potential untapped. This is largely because the government has not paid meaningful attention to this sector of the economy.

    “As a result of the shortage of adequate ship repair facilities, most of the vessels operating in Nigeria waters proceed to neighbouring countries for scheduled dry docking and other routine maintenance works. This is at huge financial loss to the country, while at the same time denying employment opportunities for Nigerians,’’ he said.

    Shittu said he supported the move by the Minister to establish a new national shipping line. He, however, said there was need for the government to support the private sector by providing the enabling environment.

     

  • Buhari urged to promote free trade zones

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to pay more attention to the free zones for growth of the economy.

    A maritime lawyer, Mr Slomon Adelaja, who made the call in Lagos, said well developed free zones would generate millions of jobs for the youth.

    Importers, exporters and other stakeholders in the maritime value chain, Adelaja said, would benefit immensely from well developed free trade zone.

    “If free trade zones are adequately promoted and proper incentives given, investors will be encouraged to invest in the zones, which will in turn provide more jobs for Nigerians as many importers and exporters would be willing to use the zone based on low tariffs that would be introduced,”he said.

    He decried low level of awareness in the public about free trade zones, adding that promotion of the zone by President Buhari’s administration is important to their development.

    “If Dubai, as developed as it is, still advertises the free trade zones and Turkey is also doing same, why can’t we do same under the current administration?

    “I cannot remember when last I saw any advert on the Nigerian  free trade zone on the television. I cannot remember how many times I have seen the distribution of in-house journals about free trade zones. I cannot remember how many times seminars and workshops were organised about free trade zones for stakeholders to know that this thing exists.

    “If you don’t take promotion seriously and be ready to give incentives that can bring investors into the country, then, your guess is as good as mine,”he said.