Ayo Adedoyin (ship owner, Chairman NIMAREX 2016)
Seriously, if what I heard is true, that the National Carrier will compete with the ship owner in the coastal trade and later in the offshore market, then I think it won't work. I believe what they need to do is to support the sector to grow by making sure they start enforcing the Local Content Law and the Cabotage Act. In order words, indigenous operators should be empowered to run the show.
Dr. Eugene Nweke (Former President, NAGAFF)
I don't think we should be dwelling so much on nomenclature right now, whether it is a national carrier or a national fleet, all that matters is that government is ready to bring back the era whereby indigenous ships fly Nigerian flag in accordance with the Cabotage Act. What we should concern ourselves with now is implementing the Cabotage law which says that vessels should be built in Nigeria, and manned by Nigerians. I don't subscribe to the idea of Nigeria always looking out to buy vessels from other countries, government should consider establishing a ship building and fabrication yard, we can achieve it. Also, I have listened to my friend Greg Ogbeifun who spoke on the National Fleet, and like I said earlier, what matters is not the nomenclature, even if government decides to establish a national carrier, we must understand that buying a vessel requires so much funds, but right I don't know where such funds will come from.
Comrade Owolabi Omotayo (Chairman, MWUN Liverpool Unit)
My take on the government plan to establish a new national shipping line is that the government should establish a national fleet whereby the private operators will come together to operate the fleet. The real advantage of this option is that it will enhance accountability, discipline and prudent maintenance management etc. The former arrangement whereby the ships are government properties and nobody cares for the ships will have been eradicated. The national shipping fleet will also give rooms for the public to own shares and demand management prudence and accountability. Finally, the establishment of the National Shipping Fleet should be a thing of urgency by the government to create huge employment opportunities in the nation's maritime sector for the seafarers and other associated national economy sectors.
Capt Deji Abegunde (Ship Owner)
Either we call it national carrier or national fleet; I don't think any of it will work. I believe the primary aim for the Cabotage contributions in NIMASA should be implemented, after all, individual shipowners made the contributions.
Where is the money for national carrier or fleet coming from? Ethnicity and the federal character will not allow any national fleet or national carrier to work. Empowerment of experienced shipping companies in Nigeria is the best. Young professionals and existing shipping companies should be granted loans. Stringent measures should be put in place for loan repayment. These are my opinions because what led to the wreckage of NNSL, Nigeria Air Ways, Railway corporation, textiles, and so on are yet to be addressed till date.
Olawale George (Merchant Navy)
The best way to go about the process is for government to have a say in revamping the national carrier and then allow the indigenous operators to take charge fully. If the ship owners should take the sole responsibility for the shipping line, then there will be problem of nepotism and favouritism because their relatives and family members will be of top most priority therefore many Nigerians will not benefit from the project. But when the federal government is involved I believe every state in Nigeria will be carried along, there will be quota system in it. Again if the indigenous owners are given the opportunity to run the carrier then the nation will not benefit from it, thus we need government investment not investing on individual in the quest to float a national carrier status for the country.
Dr. Babatunde Samuel (Registrar. POTEMAN)
Going by the antecedents of what might have happened in the past in terms of government participation in shipping through buying of vessels and running the process, I would say government is not good in business. Government should restrict their activities to policy making and not running of a shipping company. However the approach of government private partnership should be brought in where the government can own 60% of the ship while private sector cumulatively should own 40% and as a result, that will promote government interest as well as private interest respectively.
Chris Sadoh (SMA)
Government is not a good businessman and if indeed we are serious about resuscitating the national carrier for the country, then it must not be in the hands of the government, rather it should be managed by the businessmen who are the indigenous ship owners; who knows what to do when it comes to business. Government should only be a facilitator of how to execute the business, therefore it should be the responsibility of the government to give grants to businessmen who are versatile in the maritime sector to run the national shipping line and if these is done, I can say that in the next couple of years, Nigeria will be better in terms of shipping activities.
Comrade Julius Efokpor (Secretary General Merchant Navy)
The latter could be better because there will be no room for bureaucracy. Government is not a good businessman, but with the indigenous operators there will be room for proper management of the ships. NNSL was grounded because it was purely a government affair. But I think there is need for the private sector participation, who are the indigenous operators to take the lead then to a large extent government should be carried along in order to strike a balance.
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