While signing – off in 2010, we submitted that it was a year that would be remembered for its ‘goodness’ and some degree of ‘badness’. Without mincing words, 2010 would be remembered as a year that put operators and players in the Nigerian maritime sector on the edge of their seats; especially when events at the various sub-sectors are considered.
Viewed from all angles, year 2010 was more eventful than 2009. We recall that 2010 started with surprises and we dare say it ended with shocks. Unlike the year (2009) before it, 2010 started with the abracadabra called Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) and later the equally controversial issue of creation of a Maritime Security Agency to replace the highly- vilified Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) came up.
Mid-way into the year the unprecedented importation of about N4billion worth cocaine reared its head, a development that probably opened the floodgates of importation of arms, ammunitions and also goods termed as toxic by NESREA.
The removal of the chief executives of NIMASA and NPA; Mr Temisan Omatseye and Mallam Abdusallam Mohammed respectively ended the shock-filled year. While the removal of Omatseye generated heated opposition, that of Mohammed was seen as routine and probably political.
As we enter into 2011, it is may be pertinent to point out some of the carry-overs of 2009 to 2010 and which may become a part of 2011.
Perhaps, the two darkest spots in the nation’s maritime landscape in 2009 were the legion of sea robberies and the continued lamentations of indigenous ship owners over marginalization by their foreign counterparts and with the backing of certain government agencies.
In 2009, Nigerian coast was labeled as one of the worst in Africa; second only to lawless Somalia. According to the International Maritime Bureau, “whilst Somalia is, rightly, getting a lot of media attention for its piracy problems, a worrying trend is emerging off the coast of Nigeria. We have noted a higher level of violence in attacks off Nigeria than any other region in the world.” Apparently not satisfied with what the Nigerian government is doing, the bureau had submitted in its end- of- 2009 report that “Nigerian coast is the worst in the world” and that majority of the piracy attacks are unreported.
In 2010, Nigerian coast witnessed several attacks, even up till the end of the year. There were reports of attacks across the nation’s coastal lines.
In 2009, the positive effects of Nigeria’s port concession programme started yielding results as vessels started bombarding the nation’s ports, and in 2010, the high cargo throughput was very apparent.
As we move into 2011, we are optimistic that Nigerian ports will continue to witness high vessel traffic.
Another critical issue which the maritime industry has carried for about two years running is the delay in the passage of its bills at the National Assembly. It is taking the legislators too long a time to pass the Ports and Harbour Bill, the Maritime Security Agency Bill, the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria Bill and we only hope that these Bills would be done with before the current term of the national Assembly ends in May.
We are more worried about the Ports bill; hence we eagerly await the passage of the much-expected Port and Harbour Bill which incorporates the Independent Port Regulatory Commission (IPRC) Bill. The Bill enjoys an unenviable record of being one of the most delayed and the most controversial legislation since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
One of the foremost expectations of stakeholders in the maritime sector for 2011 is the passage of these bills, and it is still possible for this bill to be passed.
By and large, as a maritime media organization, we look forward to a very eventful year for the industry and have high hopes that it will be better than the year before it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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