Apart from the economic losses being recorded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit almost every sector of the nation’s economy, including the maritime sector, the deadly pandemic has also put on hold annual maritime programmes usually organised by various agencies in the maritime sector.
·NIMASA Annual Maritime Forecast
The NIMASA Annual Maritime Forecast, is a maritime programme organized by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The annual Maritime Forecast is an industry research report introduced three years ago by NIMASA. It details activities and performance results in the industry over a 12-month period and also forecasts likely performance and industry prospects in the current and coming years.
The programme is intended to serve as a compass for local and international stakeholders willing to do business in the Nigeria maritime domain, with the aim of realizing a robust and virile maritime industry in Nigeria. The programme usually comes up in the first two month of the year.
However, due to the federal government restriction on large gatherings and closure of all hospitality and event places in the country, the programme was suspended with no assurance that the programme will still hold this year.
·Shippers’ Council Maritime Seminar for Judges
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council Seminar for Judges is a yearly programme organised by the council, the seminar is aimed at bringing the nation’s judges, lawyers, practitioners and other stakeholders, for the purpose of enriching their knowledge and further equip them to deal with the challenges of interpreting and applying international maritime laws in settlement of shipping related disputes. The yearly programme usually comes up in July. However, with the increasing number of COVID 19 cases, there is no assurance that the council will be able to host the programme due to the restriction on large gathering.
·World Seafarers’ Day
The world seafarers’ day is also one of the programmes that will likely be put on hold as the ravaging virus is yet to subside in the country.
The World Seafarers Day is an annual International Day of the Seafarer, observed on June 25. Designated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010 as a way to recognize the contribution made by the world's seafarers. It is recognized by the United Nations as an observance day.
In Nigeria, NIMASA annually hosts the event, however this year seafarers’ day could be mark in low key across the world, as many IMO countries still place restriction on large gathering.
·African Day of Sea’s and Ocean
The African Union (AU) during its 22nd summit, set a period from 2015 to 2025 as the 'Decade of African Seas and Oceans' and also set July 25 of every year as the African Day of Seas and Oceans.
The celebration of Africa Day of Seas and Oceans is one of the recommendations of the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS). The 2050 AIM Strategy provides a broad framework for the protection and sustainable exploitation of Seas and Oceans of Africa. Protecting the ocean is everyone business – and so the responsibility of every African.
Although, the month for the celebration of the day is still a month away, there is still no assurance that the maritime industry will mark this year’s celebration with the jamboree that comes along with it.
·NPA Annual Workers Wellness Programme Fair
The COVID 19 pandemic has also affected the annual Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Workers Wellness Programme fair. The programme always comes up between the fifth and sixth month of the year. Due to the outbreak of the virus, there is still no assurance that the NPA will embark on the wellness fair this year.
In a chat with our correspondent, NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication; Mr Adams Jatto informed our correspondent that the outbreak of the virus has halted some of the agency’s programmes, he said there is no assurance that the NPA will still hold the programme this year.
·Lagos International Maritime Week
The Lagos International Maritime week is an annual programmed organized by Zoe Maritime with support from stakeholders across the maritime industry in Nigeria. It has also been affected by the COVID 19 pandemic, the event usually provides an invaluable platform for organisations to expand their market share in the maritime industry not only in Nigeria but in the West and Central African sub-regions, as regional stakeholders also be participate in the week-long event.
· World Customs Organisation Global Origin Conference
In view of the outbreak of COVID-19, the World Customs Organisation Secretariat and the host of the Conference, Dominican Republic Customs, have also suspended this annual global conference
According to information on its site, it reads “We carefully assessed the global situation and after due consideration regarding the health and safety of the participants, have jointly agreed to postpone the 2nd WCO Global Origin Conference which was scheduled from 15 to 16 April 2020 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
“We thank in anticipation the participants, speakers and supporters of this Conference for their understanding and invite you all to stay tuned for the new dates.”
·Dock Workers Annual Celebration
The newly-revived dockworkers celebration day has also been affected by the global pandemic. The celebration is an annual appreciation for the workers’ industrial harmony in seaport operations. Dock workers all over the world celebrate “Dockworkers Day” on the 7th of July every year.
·WCO Global AEO Conference
Also affected it’s the fifth global AEO conference, that brings together customs administrations, the business community, policy makers, legal and academic representatives, as well as other government bodies to build capacity, enhance cooperation and foster a global public-private dialogue for the implementation of AEO Programmes worldwide.
However, with the prevailing global circumstances, the conference has been postponed till next year to ensure success and safety of participant.
According to information gathered on its website last week, it stated that, “to ensure the success of the conference in view of the prevailing global circumstances, Dubai Customs and the UAE Federal Customs Authority proposed to the WCO to postpone the Conference that was planned from 10 to 12 March 2020. After careful consideration, the WCO Secretariat agreed to the request of the host administration to reschedule the 5th WCO Global AEO Conference to 15 – 17 February 2021, in Dubai, UAE.
“The new dates will further align the Conference with the Expo 2020 Dubai, a World Expo which opens more opportunities to learn and experience the numerous successful practices of countries around the world, at all fronts including economy, culture, innovation, and many others.
In a chat with our correspondent, the national secretary of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Mr Babatunde Mukaila lamented that members of the association who were selected for the trip were already getting ready for the programme, before the outbreak of COVID 19 virus, he said the virus has disrupted some of the many good plans the association had prepared for the maritime industry.
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