Nigerian Maritime Industry stakeholders have noted an upsurge of piracy, hostage taking, and other security challenges within the nation’s water, and urged for Federal Government’s urgent and decisive intervention, towards entrenching sanity in Nigeria’s waterways.
The stakeholders which assembled at the Lagos Civic Centre in Lagos, with a patriotic zeal towards significant revamping of the economy also stressed the need for government to make meaningful effort towards the emergence of a National fleet, even as they advised that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should ensure a speedy implementation of the comprehensive report on Nigeria’s Flag Administration, in the country’s overall interest.
Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, President SOAN
Some of those who attended the stakeholders’ event organized by the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) alongside other critical Stakeholders, with the theme: ‘Giving Critical Lifeline to the Nigerian Maritime Industry’, were the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was the Chief Host; the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki who was the Special Guest of Honour; as well as the highly reputed Executive Chairman of Foresight Limited and Chairman of EICC Brussels, Dr Ravi Mehrotra, who was a Distinguished Guest of Honour.
Other guests included the NIMASA Director-General, Dakuku Peterside; the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shipping Council (NSC), Hassan Bello; as well as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Henry Ikem-Obih, represented by NNPC’s Group General Manager (GGM), Shipping, Aisha Farida Katagum. And an impressive line-up of resource persons which included Mr. Victor Eromosele, Chairman/MD, M E Consulting Limited; Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Secretary General, Abuja MoU on Port State Control; Otunba Shola Folarin, Chairman, Nigerian Port Consultative Council; Mr. Victor Agina, Group Head, Oil and Gas, Bank of Industry, and Mrs. Ifueko Okauru, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc.
Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki
Emphasizing the need to support the Government in its aspiration of creating a buoyant future for the citizens, the stakeholders tasked the NIMASA to make serious effort towards collaborating with operators and other stakeholders in the industry so as to promote a more conducive operating environment, as well as rejig its policy of sponsoring cadets to various institutions outside Nigeria, and instead, focus more on greater utilization of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in a bid to drive local content development.
“The Minister of Transportation, Honorable Rotimi Amaechi, should urgently pursue the implementation of the comprehensive report on revamping and restructuring Nigeria’s flag administration”; take urgent steps to facilitate access to the CVFF for strategic financial support to vessel owners in order to reverse the slide in cabotage fleet tonnage; while the NIMASA should rethink its policy of acquiring floating docks, and instead pursue efforts towards supporting existing shipyards in the country.
Dr Ravi Kumar Mehrotra
Other points raised in the communiqué issued and signed by the SOAN President, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun and the First Vice President, Dr. Mkgeorge Onyung were:
*That the requirements contained in the Cabotage Act be strictly adhered to in assessing foreign vessels operating in Nigerian waters
*That government should review tax laws and policies applicable to the maritime industry, with a bid to providing necessary reliefs and incentives that would spur growth
*That the Federal Government of Nigeria should urgently consider the inclusion of the maritime sector in the NIPC-FIRS document providing special concessions to selected sectors of the Nigerian economy
*That the Bank of Industry expands its fund catering to the maritime industry in general, and shipowners in specific; and
*Finally, that SOAN adopt a more post-conference strategic engagement approach in dealing with government regarding the attainment of its stated pursuits.
The Participants noted the workshop was part of SOAN’s strategic effort towards providing a veritable platform for meaningful discourse between SOAN’s members and other Stakeholders to chart the best course forward for the Nigerian Maritime Industry. It was also an opportunity for empowerment and direct engagement with Policy makers and regulators especially from government.
The four papers presented by Guest Speakers were on:
-Fiscal Incentives for the sustenance and growth of the Nigerian Maritime Industry;
-Leveraging on Government Financial Initiatives;
-The Bank of Industry Initiatives with a focus on the Maritime Industry and
-Performance Audit of Maritime Sector& Ports Terminal Operations (PTO) Compliance- Project Overview & Work Plan.