The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday inaugurated a Committee to review activities and operations of the Nigerian Ship Registry, even as it released the maritime industry forecast for the years 2018 and 2019.
While addressing journalists at the end of the event which held in Lagos, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said that the committee which comprises of experts in the maritime sector is headed by Engr Emmanuel Ilori.
Speaking on the terms of reference for the committee, Peterside said they are to examine the status of the Nigerian ship registry in line with international best standards and to ensure that Nigeria’s ship registration process in sync with other global ship registries.
According to the NIMASA DG, other terms of reference of the committee include: to determine the level of automation of the Nigerian ship registration, to advise management and recommend possible improvement on necessities in the Nigerian ship registration. Also, the committee will access and determine other jurisdictions with more advance ship registries which NIMASA can establish a relationship.
On the maiden edition of Nigerian Maritime Industry Forecast for 2018 to 2019, Peterside said it is long overdue as it presents maritime operators a view of key parameters that drive the maritime industry.
He told the gathering of industry stakeholders that: "The forecast is looking at the future of the industry and the opportunity that lies ahead. It is a document that you will really treasure if you are really serious in investing in the maritime sector, you must have access to the Nigerian Maritime forecast, there are no restrictions, it would be placed on our website"
Giving an insight into the forecast, the DG said, "the economy is expected to boost a full year expansion of estimated US$6million annually, and according to the ministry of transportation, the maritime component of the oil and gas sector is an estimated US$8billion further reflecting the prominence of the sector relative to the economy"
He identified five bills undergoing legislative processes at the National Assembly as key regulatory developments in the Nigerian maritime industry that will affect the maritime industry. These include: the Anti-Piracy Bill, the establishment of the Maritime Development Bank, Inland Fisheries Amendment Bill, the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Amendment Bill and the Cabotage Act Amendment Bill 2017. “All these if passed to Law will help realize the dream of making Nigeria the maritime hub in Africa’’, he added.
Peterside also said that the 2019 elections would also have an impact on the industry.
While presenting a paper on: 'The economy in Nigeria and it's maritime sector, an industry expert, Dr. Doyin Salami predicted that there would be an increase in maritime activities as a result of the rapid development in commercial activities, especially in the oil and gas industry.
According to him, the Nigerian economy has officially exited the economic recession it plunged into in 2016. He added that in 2017 the maritime sector experienced a 2.5 to 5% growth.
"The forecast period covers a period of continuing recovery from recession, runs through the 2019 General Elections and finally culminates in post-election environment", he said.
Meanwhile, the NIMASA ship registration committee is chaired by engineer Emmanuel Ilori. Other members are: Taofiq Adegbite, AJ Musa, Abdusalam S. A, Aminu Umar, Peter Agbaminoja, Nwoko Desmond will be a support staff.
Discussion about this post