The Federal Ministry of Transportation as presently constituted has at least 13 departments and agencies under it. It has the immediate past Governor of Rivers state; Mr Rotimi Amechi as its helmsman.
Being not the first time that ministries will be rationalised, it may then not be strange to have a large Ministry of Transportation; incorporating both the erstwhile Ministries of Transport and that of Aviation. Prior to the emergence of Mr Amechi, there had been Chief Cornelius Adebayo, and others who have had the task of superintending both aviation, maritime as well as land transportation modes as ministers.
Agencies under the new Federal Ministry of Transportation headed by Rotimi Amechi are: Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Nigerian Railway Corporation, National Inland Waterways Authority, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Nigerian Metrological Agency, Accident Investigation Bureau, NIMASA, NPA, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, FAAN, NCAA, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency.
Good enough, Amechi has a Minister of State (for Aviation); Mr Hadi Sirika, whom we hear is an aviation expert.
Our concern as a maritime media outfit is the mirage of problems that the new Minister is inheriting, especially in the maritime sector.
There are challenges at each of the agencies, there is hardly any segment of the nation’s maritime sector that does not have of one issue or another.
At the NPA, the major issue is the non-passage of the Port and Harbour Bill, which ought to have predated the port concession of 2006. He will need the total cooperation of the National Assembly to achieve this. He needs to decide whether the nation need a National Transport Commission or just concentrate on ensuring that the Port and Harbour Bill is passed.
Apart from this, the new Minister will have to be decisive about the conduit pipe called Calabar channel dredging.
He will also need to be informed and decisive too about the antics of private sector operators of the terminals, who over time have become untouchable.
At NIMASA, the issue is the need for the establishment of a Maritime Security Agency (MASECA), and of course, the relationship between NIMASA and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
At the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, there is the nagging issue of legal backing for the Council’s activities. This challenge has been there even before the Council became the port’s economic regulator.
For us as a maritime media organisation, we know that an efficient port system is as essential as an efficient rail system and an efficient road network.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has not been as complimentary as it should be in the delivery of cargoes to consignees, a development that has led to over reliance on the road as a means of conveying goods out of the ports.
It is heart-warming that he has openly declared that hewill complete all on-going rail projects and also extend rail lines to all parts of the country.
There is no doubt that the nation’s inland waterways system is insecure and ineffective. From Lokoja to Calabar, Baro, Bonny to Lagos, it is the same lamentation of insecurity and use of old boats and un-dredged channels.
Lastly, another problematic issue that will urgently require the attention of the Minister is the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). The CRFFN has been in comatose for many years. The Council which started well has been budged down by intrigues among its registered members.
Good enough, Mr Amechi has told employees of the ministry that he is not a thief and that he would not steal public funds. He said:“I am not as bad as people from the outside say I am. I only engage based on principles. I neither take nor give bribes. If you want to relate with me, don’t give me money. I will also not give you money. I don’t want to go to jail, so I won’t steal. But I won’t spare thieves”.
For him to be remembered as having come, seen and conquered, Mr Amechi must drop the toga of being a former Governor who brought many enemies to himself on account of his political leaning. His clearance at the Senate and the fact that all Senators from the opposition PDP walked out in protest against his confirmation is enough reasons for him to know that his tenure as Minister of Transportation may be controversial. There are PDP Senators in the Senate committees overseeing the various transportation ministry’s department and agencies; he has to contend with them.
To succeed, Mr Amechi must keep to the above promise of not asking for bribe and not stealing.
Majority of Nigerians called for the appointment of round pegs in round holes; that is giving ministerial nominees portfolios that are relevant to their professional background. Minister Amechi must realise that the Transport Ministry is a knowledge-based ministry that would have required someone with requisite training in transport or related field. He does not possess the cognate experience. Yes, he will learn, yes he will need technocrats, but above all, he must have his own blueprint and be above board.
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