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Tag: Maritime

  • Experts: how Nigeria can gain from new maritime territory

    Experts: how Nigeria can gain from new maritime territory

    • ‘UN-approved Continental Shelf expansion will boost nation’s economy, security’

    The newly approved 16,300 square kilometres of maritime territory has immense potential for the economy, experts have said.

    They highlighted opportunities for oil and gas exploration, improved maritime security and job creation.

    The United Nations granted Nigeria about 16,300 square kilometres of additional maritime territory, about five times the size of Lagos State.

    The extension of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries aligns with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

    The experts, in separate interviews with The Nation, welcomed the development.

    A Geographer and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, Adedamola Ogunsesan, said the expansion provides significant strategic advantages for national defence, particularly for the Navy.

    He said: “The approval of an additional 16,000 square kilometres of maritime territory heralds a transformative era for Nigeria’s Blue Economy.”

    Mr Adegboyega Oyetola is the Minister of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Ogunsesan added: “It represents a gateway to numerous economic, strategic, and ecological opportunities.

    “It enables the establishment of buffer zones along coastal areas, providing crucial space for anti-piracy operations and the prevention of oil theft.

    “By extending naval operations into these newly acquired waters, Nigeria can more effectively safeguard its maritime assets and territorial integrity.”

    Ogunsesan noted the potential for oil and gas exploration in the new territory.

    “This expansion can significantly boost Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves and production capacity, leading to increased revenue streams, job opportunities and economic growth, especially in coastal communities,” he said.

    He also believes larger territorial waters will enhance port infrastructure and logistics, improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade and serving as a diplomatic asset.

    Ogunsesan said: “The marine ecosystems within the new territory provide invaluable research opportunities for the Nigerian Ocean and Marine Institute.

    “Studying these habitats can advance understanding of marine ecology, inform sustainable fisheries management, and mitigate environmental impacts.

    “This territorial expansion reinforces Nigeria’s regional dominance and bolsters its position in bilateral and multilateral agreements.

    “By asserting control over a larger maritime domain, Nigeria can project influence and negotiate from a position of strength in international affairs.”

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ambosit Capital Managers, Dr. Wahab Balogun, urged the Federal Government to consider a revised submission strategy for the territory.

    This, he said, will enable Nigeria to gather additional data and submit a more comprehensive application to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), potentially securing more significant long-term benefits.

    He said: “By pursuing further expansion, Nigeria can secure a larger area rich in natural resources, which is crucial for future economic growth.

    “A larger maritime territory enhances Nigeria’s geopolitical influence and strengthens its position in regional and international maritime affairs.”

    He noted that a more extensive territory could prevent future territorial disputes and resource claims by other nations.

    Balogun outlined a strategy for the Federal Government to implement this plan.

    “While pursuing the revised submission, Nigeria can begin preliminary exploration and planning for the approved area to maintain momentum and stakeholder confidence.

    “Additionally, efficiently managing the additional costs by leveraging international partnerships and funding opportunities aimed at maritime research and development is vital,” he advised.

    Read Also: Tinubu inaugurates three warships, two helicopters to curb maritime crimes

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, highlighted the deep offshore oil and gas potentials of the continental shelf but advised patience.

    A continental shelf is the edge of a continent that lies under the ocean.

    “We do not need to rush the process. Once concluded, Nigeria can take full advantage of the additional territory,” Lokpobiri stated.

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Head of Public Affairs and Communication, Mrs. Olaide Shonola, expressed excitement about the continental shelf’s potential benefits for Nigeria’s maritime, solid minerals and hydrocarbon sectors.

    Ismail Omipidan, spokesperson for the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, highlighted gains such as expanded fishing areas, seabed mining, biotechnology, and marine research.

  • ‘Amend Cabotage Act, others to unlock maritime sector’s full potential’

    ‘Amend Cabotage Act, others to unlock maritime sector’s full potential’

    • Shipbroker sets reform agenda for minister

    Dr. Chris Osoba Ebare is the first maritime lawyer in Nigeria to become a chartered shipbroker. A two-time Commissioner for Budget, Planning and Economic Development and Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources in Edo State, he has co-chaired various maritime meetings and conferences at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Bar Association (IBA). He is the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Nigeria Chapter and former Vice Chairman West Africa branch in Accra, Ghana. In this interview with Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE, he stressed the need to amend cabotage laws and others to unleash the trapped huge revenue in the Maritime sector.

    What legal reforms are needed to unlock the maritime sector’s full potential?

    There are certain laws the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy must ask the National Assembly to amend. First is the cabotage law, particularly Section 1 (1-8), Section 2 (1-3) and sections 27 & 28 of the Cabotage Act 2003 and other provisions that hamper revenue generation, flexibility and innovation of the Nigerian shipping industry. Foreign investors and partners, as well as international corporate shipbroking firms such as Clarkson, Simpson Spence Young, Howe Robinson Partners, shipbrokers, charterers, financial institutions and other maritime services providers, have not seen the motivation and incentives to play a big role in the Nigerian shipping industry.

    What steps should be taken now?

    The government should as a matter of urgency liberalise Nigeria’s shipping industry by amending some sections in the Cabotage Act. This will attract more patronage and revenue. I advised Mr. President before he was sworn in in one of my interviews in your newspaper that experts should be appointed into the maritime sector. The resources in the sector are potentially billions of dollars, almost equal to that of the oil industry. We should look beyond the likes of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Shippers Council. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Mr. President should focus on the maritime sector for the much-needed revenue by injecting enough experts into the sectors like other countries. Presently, enough is not being done.

    Are you saying the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should not be anything goes?

    Yes. The Honourable Minister needs to deploy more professionals to NIMASA, Shippers Council, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and NPA to make his job less stressful and give him the needed policy formulation and expert advice on a day-to-day basis. For instance, in maritime, nations such as Singapore, Norway, Netherlands, China, United Kingdom, Cyprus, USA even Ghana which are making it big and are successful, their key maritime sectors are headed by professional chartered shipbrokers. I challenge you to Google and see for yourself. Even in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), if you are not a core shipping professional, you can’t be accorded all necessary status. As of today, Nigeria has been struggling to be in category C in the IMO rating. To date, we have not gotten there. We are ready to assist the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. We are ready to talk to our members in IMO and other countries to vote for Nigeria when the time comes. These are people we meet all the time. Presently, we only have two professional shipbrokers as NIMASA staff members, one in the Shippers Council and none in NPA. Go to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, the U.S.A. and other maritime countries, their maritime agencies and strategic sectors are headed by professional chartered shipbrokers.

    What changes in trade policy do you think are needed?

    Cost insurance and freight (CIF) is one of the international trade terms known as Incoterms. It represents a contract where the seller is 100 per cent in charge of the sales of her crude oil. The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is going to generate substantial revenue if the Federal Government can amend the trade term from Free on Board (FOB) to CIF as it is practised in other oil-producing nations through international sales contract of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other goods. This will have a positive impact on the Federal Government revenue earnings and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Federal Government is presently losing a lot of revenue in the shipping sector to the buyers of Nigerian crude oil. OPEC nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Libya, Angola etc operate CIF. This will create job opportunities for our insurance companies that will insure both the crude oil product and the vessel. I advise the Hon. Minister to tell the National Assembly to amend the law urgently.

    Can you tell us other opportunities in the blue economy from where the Federal Government can generate revenue? 

    The structure of the marine and blue economy has changed over two decades ago in other countries such as Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, the United States of America, the Republic of China, Singapore and now Nigeria. Last year, it was welcomed to the marine & blue economy. I believe we can, with better innovation, commitment, transformation, leadership and best practices, do it better and generate greater revenue and wealth for Nigerians through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in the following areas:

    Shipping development

    Our shipping development can be strengthened by relaxing some of the rules and laws to attract both local and foreign vessels and investors.I don’t see why Nigerians must take their vessels to Liberia to register and fly the Liberian flag. Our Registrar’s Office should be active so that we can generate more revenue. The shipping department should be able to measure up to international standards since it’s the first point of call by any foreign investor and local investors for appropriate information.

    Transshipment

    Transhipment allows for the efficient transfer of cargo from large vessels to smaller ones on the high sea with stipulated charges paid to the ports and it also enables cargo to get to their destinations on time and cost-effectively. It also reduces the problems of roll-over at transhipment i.e., the delay due to the mother vessel calling the hub Port with no space is minimised. The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should look into providing transshipment ports within Apapa, Lekki deep sea port, Port-Harcourt, Warri, etc. This will contribute sufficiently to the revenue generation.

    Read Also: Diri urges Fed Govt to review maritime assets protection policy

    Port operations

    Our seaports can generate the much-needed billions of dollars if digitalised adequately in all aspects. Decarbonisation in the operation will improve efficiency; reduce costs, increase transparency, better cost allocation, customer experience, and real tracking and the ability to access information and services online. I don’t need to go to the port or spend days to clear my goods. I should do it right in my comfort zone and get my goods delivered to me. If it can work in other countries, it can work here.

    Floating dry docking

    The Federal Government can generate much revenue from floating dry dock marine facilities if it is well maintained and managed. This will have significant economic benefits for the Nigerian shipping industry, Africa and the world in general. I know NIMASA is on this project. I pray it is well-managed and sustained.

     Fisheries

    This is one of the most lucrative and money-spinning sectors.The ministry can develop and open an export desk on this to enhance foreign exchange earnings. For example, countries like Norway, Bangladesh, China, the United Kingdom, South Korea etc earn a lot of foreign revenue from fisheries. This will also create employment opportunities, increase income for fish farmers and promote agricultural technologies in Nigeria.

    Marine tourism

    Marine tourism is another hidden sector where the Marine and Blue Economy ministry can generate both local and foreign currency, if well developed and managed. For example, much revenue can be realised from Snake Island, Takwa Bay; Badagry, Elegushi and Eleko beaches, etc like Mexico, Miami and Brazilian beaches, etc.

    Renewable wind energy

    This sector of the marine and blue economy will have a positive impact on economic growth as the development will strengthen the energy system and lead to a decrease in the dependence on hydrocarbons. It will also reduce harmful emissions. The ministry can generate a lot of revenue from it.

  • Experts project N8tr revenue for maritime in 2024

    Experts project N8tr revenue for maritime in 2024

    • Blue economy may be game-changer

    The maritime sector can play a catalytic role for the implementation of the N28.77 trillion 2024 budget passed at the weekend by the National Assembly.

    Experts, who spoke to The Nation, said the sector has the potential to generate more than N8 trillion revenue for the government in the new year and help to rejuvenate the economy.

    They urged the President Bola Tinubu administration to focus on the sector, noting that it has so much to offer the economy in terms of jobs and wealth creation, reduction in inflation and debt profile and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    According to them, the country has relied so much on the crude oil economy and it is time for the government to focus on other sources, particularly the maritime, trade and agricultural sectors.

    In rejuvenating the economy, a maritime analyst, Mr Semiu Olufowobi,  said maritime remains the key sector apart from oil and agriculture.

    “There is no doubt that with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the posture of the Tinubu Administration could only be achieved if the revenue-generating agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  National Inland Revenue, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and others increase their revenue target

    “Therefore, now is the time for the President Bola Tinubu administration to focus on other sources, particularly the maritime sector, which covers both aquatic and marine spaces, including oceans, seas, coasts, lakes, rivers and underground waters, which also encompasses a range of productive sectors; fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, ship building, energy, bio-prospecting, under-water mining and related activities, pointing towards economic prosperity, when adequately harnessed.

    “Crude oil contributes to less than 10 per cent  of our GDP but accounts for about 90 per cent of our foreign-exchange earnings and half of the government revenue. The economic picture may remain cloudy this new year, if the government fails to pay adequate attention to maritime sector that has the potential to generate over N10 trillion revenue.

    “Let me quickly add that the 2024 Appropriation Bill would only materialise if revenue-generating agencies generate enough revenue to meet the N27.5 trillion Federal Government budget for this year,” Olufowobi said.

    Former General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi said the government must  provide the infrastructural base in and out of the port system and see to human capital and manpower development.

    Ajayi decried the situation in Apapa, Tin-Can and other ports outside Lagos, and urged the government to fix the collapsed quay wall to boost businesses at ports and generate more revenue to revitalise the economy.

    He said the quick rehabilitation of the quay wall would assist in salvaging the economy

    To position the sector for greater efficiency, the Federal Government, Ajayi said, needs to protect the nation’s over $14billion maritime trade from criminals operating on its territorial waters.

    This, he said, would be achieved by strengthening the institutional capabilities of maritime agencies, thereby positioning the country as a hub of maritime in West and Central Africa to boost the economy.

    “Based on its potential, the nation’s maritime sector has come under siege by criminal elements who orchestrate acts of piracy, sea robbery, arms proliferation, crude oil theft, terrorism, migration, illegal and unregulated fishing and oil theft within territorial waters

    Read Also: AIG Maritime Police warns field officers against bribery, corruption

     “Statistics show a total freight cost estimate of between $5 billion and $6 billion yearly, while the maritime component of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is worth an estimated $8 billion alongside seabome transportation, oceanic extractive resource exploitation and export processing zones. Therefore, there is no other time than now for the Federal Government to protect the nation’s over $14billion maritime trade,” Ajayi said.

    A safe, secure and efficient shipping industry, Ajayi said, would assist in revitalising and diversifying the nation’s economy away from crude oil exploration to a  vibrant maritime trade.

    A maritime lawyer, Mr Samson Felix, said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA, should remove everything that is causing delay in the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds (CVFF) to assist the local shipowners to grow and contribute to the economy this year.

    “Maritime trade alone can service the nation’s annual budget if properly harnessed. The country is lagging behind in the comity of nations when it comes to ship ownership and shipping business. For instance, the world blue economy worth over $24 trillion. Undoubtedly, the blue economy offers great opportunities for foreign exchange earnings. It is also unfortunate that the country is yet to take full advantage and harness enormous potential in the sector,” Felix said.

    Also, a clearing agent, Adebola Adeyemo, urged Tinubu to assist the industry to arrest its declining fortune and contribute meaningfully to the economy” the way it does in other climes”.

    Adeyemo lamented that the sector had not achieved its goals over the years and urged the government to formulate and implement policies and programmes that have the capacity to boost the nation’s economy.

    He said the nation stands a chance to earn more revenue when policies were properly implemented.

    A maritime lawyer, Muhammed Oluwaseyi, said maritime has the potential to take the country out of woods.

    “We have written to the previous administrations that they should overhaul the sector. The sector is not properly organised. It has no procedure and is losing trillions of naira. When the Customs told you that they were making N2 trillion, the country had lost to N15 trillion and that is one area the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) must address to write his name in gold,’’  he added.

    Former President, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Tinubu was good and timely because the sector had been on a decline since the last quarter of 2016.

    He stressed that the sector is where every attention of the government should be shifted to bring the economy out of the woods.

    Shittu said trillions of naira that would have generated as revenue yearly was lost due to the underdevelopment of the seaports across the country. But that with the inauguration of the multi-billion dollar Lekki Deep Seaport, we expect the story to change from the first quarter of this year.

    “With what is happening across the globe in terms of low economic activities, now is the time for President Tinubu and his team to pay closer attention to our maritime sector,” he said.

    A maritime lawyer, Dr Dipo Alaka, berated the government for not paying adequate attention to the maritime sector.

    Alaka said with Nigeria’s vast coastline measuring about 850 kilometres and an exclusive economic zone of well over 300,000 square kilometres, 3,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways, six major seaports, 11 oil terminals, and over 170 private jetties, “our political leaders need not to be told the maritime sector is a money-spinning industry that must be given the necessary attention like oil”

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  • Maritime workers raise alarm over plans to repeal Ports, Harbour Bill

    Maritime workers raise alarm over plans to repeal Ports, Harbour Bill

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) have voiced their strong opposition to the proposed Ports and Harbour Bill in the National Assembly, which seeks to repeal the existing Act that established the NPA.

    The two internal unions in the country’s marine sector issued the warning, saying that if the Bill becomes a law, it could threaten the security and the economy of the country and cause many Nigerians including NPA employees to lose their jobs.

    At a joint briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, November 7, the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, and his NPA counterpart, Akinola Bodunde, claimed that some individuals were secretly introducing the Bill that the 8th National Assembly had rejected and discarded.

    They urged Nigerians to oppose the Bill, which they alleged was intended to appropriate and transfer national heritage to a small number of people.

    According to them: “We wish to note that the bill if allowed to be passed into law, will have far-reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

    “We are therefore not surprised that the bill is being vigorously sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the maritime sector, who are hell-bent on appropriating our commonwealth and cornering same into the lining of their pockets and that of their cronies.

    “We would have thought that given our persistent cry and various notices pointing to the deplorable state of our various nation’s seaports, decrepit state of port access roads, collapsing quay aprons, and the general failure of infrastructures within our ports.

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    “The focus of this 10 National Assembly would have been to find solutions to the myriad of problems bedevilling our ports, terminals, Jetties, and Oil and Gas platforms and even the need to dredge all the ports, particularly Calabar, Warri, Onne, etc for increased efficiency; and not to clandestinely and recklessly seek to misappropriate public infrastructure through unfriendly legislation for the benefit of individuals whose only interest is capital accumulation and not the general public.

    “We are further surprised that the sponsors of this bill outrightly ignored our demand to call the International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in our sovereign territorial economic zones, who have deliberately refused to obey our extant Maritime regulations, standards, and laws but, find it expedient to sit in the comfort of their hallowed chambers to push for laws that will be detrimental and inimical to the welfare and wellbeing of the working class, Nigerians and our nation’s security and sovereignty.

    “The Joint House Unions, MWUN, and SSACGOC use this medium to convey our views to the leadership, members of the National Assembly, and the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that this is certainly not the right way to go as this ploy by these selfish individuals in the maritime sector will cause chaos and anarchy in the industry which has enjoyed sustained peace since the idea of projecting the harsh Bill was killed in 2018 will not be allowed to come to fruition.”

    The unions also claimed that a draft of the Bill shows that it offers entirely non-pensionable, non-transferable, and non-terminable work without access to terminal benefits.

    They maintained that the Bill has to be removed so it does not conflict with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge to create five million jobs in Nigeria through the newly established Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

    The said: “This is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the Bill to the right of workers to the necessary payment for services rendered by a worker, in accordance to known law, industrial relations practice, equity, and good conscience.

    “We believe that allowing this Bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalize the evil concept of casualization of workers and negate the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004 as amended.

    “This is in direct contrast to the avowed promises of Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure the provision of about five million jobs for Nigerians through the newly-created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

    “Having said this, We, the two in-house unions in the maritime sector; MWUN and SSASCGOC, will not fold our hands and allow a few unpatriotic Nigerians within the industry to rip off the nation’s commonwealth and render our sector unproductive via this infamous Bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness amongst the already impoverished workers and Nigeria citizenry.

    “Consequently, we confirm our absolute vote of confidence on the Nigerian Ports Authority ACT as it currently relates to the Nigerian state and the well-being of the workers in the sector and we will vehemently resist all attempts to push this hellish bill further. We, therefore, demand its withdrawal in its entirety with the laid down laws.”

  • Oyebamiji, Ukeyima appointed CEOs of maritime agencies

    Oyebamiji, Ukeyima appointed CEOs of maritime agencies

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Alhaji Munirudeen Oyebamiji as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    Also, the president has approved the appointment of Mr Akutah Ukeyima as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement yesterday said both appointments, which are domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were on the recommendation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

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    The statement further said that the president charged the new appointees to faithfully executive their duties, in line with the policies and programmes outline the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

    Oyebamiji is a graduate of Banking and Finance and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Business Administration. He is an Economist with industry experience of more than 28 years before he entered the public service.

    In the public service, he first reversed the downward trajectory of the Osun State Investment Company Limited before serving as the Osun State Commissioner of Finance for eight years.

    Ukeyima is a graduate of Law and holds a Master’s degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He most recently served as the Head of the Central Authority Unit, International Cooperation in Criminal Matters, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

  • Maritime stakeholders seek import-friendly regime

    Operators, clearing agents and other stakeholders  have urged the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and other agencies at the ports to introduce an import-friendly regime.

    The regime, when introduced,  would boost activities at the nation’s seaports and revenue generation.

    In an interview with The Nation at the weekend, the former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said good policies, fair trade and pro-business investment climate, would create an ideal destination for investors.

    NPA, Customs and NIMASA, he said, should institute a business-friendly tax regime with low corporate tax rates that would enable keen profitability for importers and exporters.

    Shittu said there was an urgent need for agencies at the ports to put pressure on the government to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Lagos seaports, to save Nigerians from suffering on the two roads leading to Lagos ports and make it attractive for business.

    The management of NPA, NIMASA, NSC, and Customs, he said, should come up with good policies that would help revamp the sector to increase revenue generation.

    A motor vehicle importer, Mr  Felix Okuwdili, urged the agencies to collaborate in finding a lasting solution to the dilapidated Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos, ensure security at the ports and hasten cargo clearance.

    According to Okuwdili, the Federal Government and its  agencies at the ports have the responsibility to make Nigeria’s ports hubs in the sub-region.

    He told The Nation that the heads of the agencies should prevail on the government to use part of the money generated from the ports monthly to fix the roads leading to the ports and make it the best in Africa.

    In the last 10 years, he said the government had not done enough to provide basic infrastructure and tackle corruption at the ports. He urged the agencies to devise strategies for increasing the tempo of activities at the ports.

    Also, an exporter, Chief Francis Mosuro, decried the deplorable state of the Lagos and Onne port roads, saying it was affecting cargo delivery, endangering workers’ lives and making things difficult for the people.

    Mosuro urged the heads of the agencies to seek explanation on what the money realised from the ports is being used for.

    “Is it good to read on the pages of newspapers that the cargo throughput are increasing and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generates over N50 billion monthly from the Lagos ports without any corresponding development of the roads that lead to the ports?” he queried.

    “Even the figure available to us showed that NPA, NIMASA, Customs, NSC, the Standards Organisation of Nieria (SON) and other agencies are generating several billions of naira monthly and we are sure that about 80 per cent of the amount is generated in Lagos. Why is the government finding it difficult to develop port infrastructure and make the ports attractive for business and generate more money?” Mosuro asked.

    He added: “Telling the Federal Government alone, this time around, will not be enough. It is time to hold agencies at the ports responsible and ask for their interventions on the government to intervene.

    “Other operational challenges in the ports must be discussed and  they should be aggregated in writing by the heads of the agencies, for appropriate action, especially against some terminal operators, security operatives and shipping companies, through their home countries.”

  • Maritime retirees protest ‘non-payment’ of pension

    Pensioners of the defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) have protested the non-payment of their pension arrears by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) since last April.

    Their protest,  they said, was to draw attention to their suffering because of the non-payment of their accumulated arrears.

    Their President, Comrade Patrick Azu Ogobuegwu, who addressed the protesters at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Marina, Lagos, said over 200 of his members had died of hardship and lack of care.

    Ogobuegwu recalled that in 2012 they joined other pararstatals, including NITEL, NICON, and Delta Steel Company, Aladja, to mount pressure the Federal Government to reinstate them into the pension payroll in accordance with the Pension Act.

    He said although their request was granted, PTAD accidentally omitted NNSL later corrected it via a letter to the Ministry of Finance dated December 22, 2017, which also directed Finance Ministry to carry out verification and biometric capture of beneficiaries.

    While the pension of other parastatals had since been effected, Ogobuegwu said his members had been left to their fate.

    He said: “We are asking to know the crime NNSL pensioners committed that has made PTAD to deny us verification and payments as was done to others.

    “It is necessary to state here that NNSL is the forerunner among other parastatals liquidated, and the pensioners’ strength is about 800. The total estimate of pension arrears is about N3billion made up of five years’pension arrears, including 33 per cent on payment made in 2008.”

    The Chairman of the committee of the aforementioned parastatals, Mr. Solomon Nyorere, said NNSL members did not deserve the kind of hardship the government was making them to go through.

    One of the pensioners, Mr. Joseph Otsamira, said the situation has left him broke. “I borrowed N70,000 for hospital bill for my wife when she was sick in December, and another N40,000 for my children’s school fee. We are going through an ugly and unfortunate treatment meted out to us by PTAD,”he lamented, asking, “What is our offence?”

  • Maritime workers threaten showdown with Chevron

    THE Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to embark on a picketing exercise in all Chevron Nigeria Limited’s (CNL) locations in Delta state over alleged exploitation of its workers.

    According to a statement by Comrade Amos Popo, chairman of the union and made available to journalists in Warri, the union is embarking on the picketing because Chevron and its marine contractors have “neglected, failed and deliberately refused to recognise the rights of workers to associate and bargain collectively.”

    Comrade Popo stated that the union had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to Awaritse Nigeria Limited (ANL), one of CNL’s major marine support providers, to enter into collective bargaining with the union which has elapsed. The maritime workers also accused CNL and its marine contractors of continuing to thwart and suppressed all efforts by the MWUN to unionise workers providing maritime support to CNL. They added that workers representatives need free access to the workers, stressing that denying this was a violation of the union’s right to freely carry out union activities.

    “This act of aggression against the union also threatens stability, harmony and productivity in the maritime sector,” the statement reads. According to the statement, “Since CNL and its marine contractors have neglected, failed and deliberately refused to recognise the right of workers to associate and bargain collectively, the union is now poised to carry out a peaceful picketing exercise in line with Section 43(1) of the Trade Unions Act 2005 (as amended).

    “The picketing exercise is intended to ensure compliance to the rules and  tenets of employment of Nigerian Seafarers in line with both domestic and international laws, and will commence on Monday, February 4 to Friday, February  8, 2019 at the following locations: 1. Chevron Dockyard, Escravos; 2. Chevron Dockyard, Warri;3. Awaritse Dockyard, Koko; and 4. Awaritse Corporate Office, Sapele”, the statement said. The maritime workers stated that all government security agencies have been duly notified of the picketing exercise, alleging that Chevron and the management of ANL have both threatened to use the security agents attached to their operations against the MWUN should the union go ahead with the picketing exercise.  OVER

  • Maritime ’ll contribute 10% to GDP, says Peterside

    THE Federal Government, yesterday projected a 10 per cent growth in the maritime industry. This was contained in the 2019/2020 maritime forecast unveiled by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.

    The forecast, the second in the series, tagged: Harnessing the maritime and shipping sector for sustainable growth, is aimed at giving direction to investors and stakeholders in the industry, in planning and investment decisions as part of efforts to attract more foreign direct investment to the economy.

    NIMASA Director-General, Dakuku Peterside, said this year’s forecast will address how emerging trends in the global maritime industry will affect the maritime sector as well as domestic factors that will influence it.

    “The maritime sector has the potential of contributing at least 10 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in no distant future, as Nigeria has the biggest market in Africa, generating between 65 and 67 per cent of cargo throughput in West Africa and 65 per cent of all cargo heading for these regions will most likely end up in the Nigerian market,” he said.

    According to the forecast, the outlook for the economy this year reflects, on the global side, concerns about a substantial global economic growth slowdown, likely higher U.S  interest rates, a stronger dollar and volatile oil prices possibly averaging below $60 per barrel, and domestically, the impact of sentiments surrounding the 2019 general elections and post-electoral transition.

    Peterside identified asset building/acquisition and human capacity development as two factors that would enable Nigerians play a major role in the maritime and shipping sector.

    He said shipping is capital intensive and the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) will not be adequate to address the huge demand for maritime asset, saying that was what propelled the Agency to seek other ship financing models.

    He said: “We have been engaging with government at the highest level to push for special intervention fund, special interest rate and other incentives that will drive optimal performance in the sector.

    “We shall not relent in our drive to put the right framework together to help beneficiaries and investors have good return on investment. The country is also making huge investments in human capacity development in the sector, which means that more Nigerians will get involved in shipping, especially, in shipping operations,” Peterside said.

    Peterside said government has made consistent effort to drive changes in the maritime and shipping sector through regulatory and infrastructural developments. He added that the main public bodies regulating the maritime and shipping sector had all keyed into the government’s strategies to reform the operating environment and improve on the country’s ease of doing business index, which has the potential of attracting more businesses to the maritime industry.

     

     

  • ‘How to make sector vibrant again’

    To make the maritime sector competitive, the Federal Government has been advised to  expedite action on vessel acquisition.

    The government has also been urged to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds  (CVFF) to empower indigenous ship owners and create jobs for the unemployed youths.

    According to the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) National President Matthew Alalade, said that is the only way the maritime sector can be made vibrant again.

    Alalade, an engineer, said if ship owners were given the CVFF in the new year, they would be able to acquire vessels that would be of class to lift Nigeria’s cruse oil, thereby creating wealth for the nation and its citizens and create jobs for the teeming youths.

    “My expectations is for the government to acquire ship for the teeming youths and disbursement of CVVF to genuine prospective ship owners. Our vessel owners must partake in lifting of our crude also,” he said.

    Alalade called on the government to involve unions in the sector in negotiation before disbursing the funds to avoid it ending in private pockets.

    “In government negotiations, the unions must be involved so that the funds will not fly as national cake as was the case in the past,” he admonished.