There are indications that current efforts to see to the formation of a new national carrier may lead to the resurrection of the dead the Nigerian Unity Line (NUL).
The NUL, which was owned by the Federal Government died years ago with only one ship in its fleet.
This possibility emerged at a meeting between the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Dr Dakuku Peterside and his counterpart at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE); Mr Alex Ukoh on Monday in Lagos.
Already, the DG of NIMASA has expressed willingness to partner with the BPE to refloat a national shipping line.
The Director General of NIMASA made this known when he played host to the Director General of the BPE at the headquarters of the agency in Lagos, stated that shipping to an extent, defines the growth trajectory of any nation especially as it relates to seaborne commerce.
Speaking further, the DG noted that the greatest asset in the maritime space is the vessel itself and if there are no vessels, one cannot be a major player. “You can only be a major player in name, but in reality you will not get maximum benefit from trade”, he stressed.
He consequently disclosed that the only way to guarantee the efficiency and effectiveness of shipping, which will add value to the economy, is through the involvement of the private sector.
The NIMASA DG disclosed that the Minister of Transportation; Mr Rotimi Amaechi has initiated a process whereby people from the private sector will pull resources together to float a national fleet, facilitated by the Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA, adding that the process which will enhance the Nigerian Flag is ongoing.
He stated that the Ministry has constituted a National Fleet Implementation Committee, which is headed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council; Mr Hassan Bello, who is also working closely to with NIMASA.
On his part, the BPE boss stated that the agency will be willing to partner NIMASA in the quest to revive the National Unity Line in collaboration with the private sector.
“We have looked at the Nigerian Unity Line and the only tangible asset they have is operating license. The license confers on the enterprise certain privileges, deriving from the Cabotage Act and also from the Local Content policy. This can be the foundation for the building block of a virile shipping business in Nigeria”, he said.
He therefore called on NIMASA to take a common position with the BPE in realizing the privatization mandate, which will be forwarded to the National Council on Privatization as the strategic way forward for handling this particular enterprise.
Also, the NIMASA DG stated that “the emphasis of the Federal Ministry of Transportation is to drive a process where we will refloat the National Fleet, this time with the core investors that will own 49 per cent of the shares, whereas, Nigerian Ship Owners will own 51 per cent of the shares of the firm and the firm will also be given the National Career Status. We are looking at different models, hence the importance of this engagement, so that we can review what has happened over time and choose the best model”.
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