Looking back, one might be tempted to agree that nothing has changed, that is between 2013 and 2014. May be, may be not, depending on which side of the divide one stands.
But one fact is certain, 2013 is gone and we are now in 2014, with all expectations and of course, naturally, with apprehension.
For the Nigerian maritime industry, looking back one could say that it opened with a shocker; the extension of the contract of the service providers for destination inspection of imports into Nigeria.
Looking back, one might be tempted to agree that nothing has changed, that is between 2013 and 2014. May be, may be not, depending on which side of the divide one stands.
But one fact is certain, 2013 is gone and we are now in 2014, with all expectations and of course, naturally, with apprehension.
For the Nigerian maritime industry, looking back one could say that it opened with a shocker; the extension of the contract of the service providers for destination inspection of imports into Nigeria.
While everyone, and particularly the Nigeria Customs Service and importers as well as licensed customs agents were almost sure that government would respect the terms in the contract of the three service providers, the industry was awaken to the shock of an extension by six months in the contract of SGS, Cotecna and Globalscan.
That was the opener for 2013, and that has put spanners in the wheels of Customs and put a temporary halt to the ambition of the Comptroller General of Customs; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde to engender a powerful customs in the nation’s cargo importation, clearing and delivery. Some have argued that the Customs boss’ dogged determination to single-handedly push the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) through also portrayed him as an ‘over ambitious’ man.
But, year 2013 also ended with these ambitions fulfilled; the CEMA was passed by the National Assembly, while the Nigeria Customs Service succeeded in pushing the service providers away from the execution of destination inspection scheme.
Sadly, some of the issues that ushered 2012 into 2013 are also issue to ponder about in 2014 and this why some argued that nothing has changed.
The crisis which engulfed the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) was about the most embarrassing feature of 2012. The face-off which pitched some freight forwarding associations against the regulator defied the intervention of the minister, leading to the avoidable dissolution of the governing council. The face-off was not resolved in 2013.
As we move into 2014, we are optimistic that Nigerian ports will continue to witness high vessel traffic and that the nation’s port system will witness sanity in line with the aspirations of the government.
It is also our hope that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will live up to its responsibilities as the port and flag state control focal body in Nigeria. Arguably, the agency has allowed the Nigerian Navy (especially the JTF) to take the shine off it in the quest to make the nation’s coast and inland waters safe for navigation.
We are of the opinion that the memorandum of understanding between NIMASA and the Navy and lately the Air Force has not yielded the desired result. The Maritime Guard Command, which is domiciled in NIMASA, is being bogged down by the contract with Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist, which is for the purpose of proving platforms for the policing of the nations’ waters.
One issue that is becoming a regular feature every year (at least in the last five years) is the delay in the passage of maritime sector bills at the National Assembly. It is taking the legislators too long a time to pass the Ports and Harbour Bill and the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria Bill.
We are hopefully awaiting the passage of the much-expected Port and Harbour Bill which incorporates the Independent Port Regulatory Commission (IPRC). The Bill enjoys an unenviable record of being one of the most delayed and the most controversial legislations since the return to democratic rule.
We are also very hopeful that the CRFFN logjam will be resolved early enough in 2014 to enable the body kick-start its programmes for the large army of ‘illiterate’ freight forwarders.
The attitude of the leaders of the freight forwarding associations towards the resolution of the conflict which has crippled the council is totally ridiculous and counter-productive. We appeal to both NAGAFF and ANLCA to bury their ego and lead the reconciliation. It is in the ultimate interests of their members.
All said, we are hopeful that, the issues which haunted the maritime industry in previous years will finally be laid to rest in 2014.
We wish all our readers a very happy and eventful 2014.
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