Despite a robust campaign strategy and spirited diplomatic efforts, Nigeria has failed to clinch its coveted position in the Category ‘C’ seat in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Although the Nigerian delegation was led to the yearly meeting by the Minister of Transportation; Mr Rotimi Amaechi, it nevertheless lost out.
According to the results which filtered-in Saturday, Nigeria lost to Kenya, Liberia, Egypt and South Africa and Morocco.
Category ‘C’ is meant for nations which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.
Apart from the five African countries, other nations that won seats in that Category are: Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey.
According to the IMO, the Assembly also elected 10 states into Category ‘A’. They are nations with the largest interest in providing international shipping services. Elected into that Category are: China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and United States.
Also elected into Category ‘B’ which is for 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and United Arab Emirates.
The IMO Council is the executive organ of the organisation and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising all its work.
Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs all the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
The newly elected Council will meet, following the conclusion of the 30th Assembly, for its 119th session (on 7 December) and will elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the next biennium.
Nigeria was a member of the Council until 2009; she was also a member in 2007.
Even though details of the votes garnered by each nation are still unavailable as at press time, there were indications that Nigeria’s interest was undermined by fellow African nations, especially from West Africa.
To clinch the seat in 2007, Nigeria garnered 87 votes to beat Liberia which got 74 votes and Angola which scored 42 votes. Nigeria emerged 19th in the 20-member council. It is on record that Nigeria’s victory was ably made possible by some African countries, especially, Ghana which was the first to step down for Nigeria. Ghana not only stepped down for Nigeria, she also campaigned for our emergence as a member of the IMO Council.
In 2009, Nigeria had a less tedious journey to victory; she not only polled 121 votes out of the available 153 votes, she also stepped up the ladder from 19th position to 8th, that is, out of the 22 nations that contested for Category ‘C’.
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