A ship owner, and Managing Director, Jevkon Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited; Mr Mkgeorge Onyung has said that the Cabotage Act will never be effective if the government fails to build shipyards for vessel maintenance.
The operator however advised the federal government to ensure that national fleet project should be assisted with shipyards.
Onyung made the disclosure over the weekend in Lagos , even as maintained that Nigerians have the pedigree to make shipping development a success
The ship owner who is a member of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) noted that shipping business is key for maritime growth, adding that ship owners have invested in the sector as a way to boost the nation's economy.
He also advised colleagues who are ship owners to treat seafarers as family and not slaves, because there is need to consider the workers on board ships despite the situation in the country.
According to him, there is need for the operators to support the government in re-floating a national carrier for the industry and the economy urging the new DG of NIMASA to continue the momentum in government quest to revamp national shipping line.
He said " all we are saying, government give us more ships and if we have more ships, then our cadets will be trained and I want to say that SOAN has taken the bull by the horn because on our own we have taken some cadets on board our ships"
"We are still doing that and we want government to assist us and get more ships"
He said that shipyard are key for Cabotage Act realisation and there is need for technological advancement that can move the shipping sector forward.
Onyung further added that there is need for harmony between the ship owners, government agencies and seafarers.
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