Even as the election into the Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association (NISA) draws nearer, a former Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),Mr. Temisan Omatseye, who is eyeing the presidency of the association, has assured ship owners and members of the association that he will fight for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) if he is voted in.
Even as the election into the Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association (NISA) draws nearer, a former Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),Mr. Temisan Omatseye, who is eyeing the presidency of the association, has assured ship owners and members of the association that he will fight for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) if he is voted in.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, yesterday in Lagos, the former NIMASA DG reiterated that plans are ongoing with government to ensure that the CVFF is well disbursed for Nigeria ship owners.
Omatseye said that, "the CVFF belongs to the ship owners as far as I am concerned and it is the money that the ship owners have collected that have built up to the CVFF and this is a money that the ship owners are supposed to manage in acquiring vessels and it is a private sector money"
"The system we have in place now which we don't want to unveil because of our competitors in the association who might hijack our concept as regard the election, but when we get into office we will tell you those things that will have in place in ensuring that CVFF is disbursed to ship owners."
Omatseye said that he is already currently engaging the federal government about the disbursement of CVFF.
The former NIMASA boss reiterated that the federal government has bought into his ideas about need for the disbursement of the fund, adding that the money will soon be made available for ship owners.
According to him, "our vision becomes a reality when there are platforms for expression and it is our heart desire for so many years to see a new maritime industry evolve in our nation"
He however promised to work with the Nigeria navy to provide 24 hours cover for all NISA members vessel by developing a portal where emergencies by any NISA vessel is exchanged between the Nigeria Navy, NIMASA , NISA and the owner for quick engagement.
"We will build up the integrity of Nigeria Ship owners and get our deserved respect from government, international ship owners and the security agencies",he added.
Omatseye noted that he will work with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council to promote and position maritime industry as a key driver of Nigeria's economy, adding that there will be maximum government support and guarantee for Nigerian ship owners for fleet renewal.
"We will open relational opportunities for NISA and other ship owners and we will work foreign shipyards to get ship assets with NISA as the lead and driver", he assured.
He also promised to partner with the ministry of finance in the area of duty removal on vessels and to take-off corporate tax from shipping companies.
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