Captain Thomas Kemewerigha [President Merchant Navy]
Captain Thomas Kemewerigha [President Merchant Navy]
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives committee on marine transport that knows so much about this bill are not doing enough. They just sit down do whatever they like with the allocation for public hearing they just forget about issues that worry the sector. They should leave these bills because there is no time, and as we all know, it’s not a permanent job and election is around the corner. We will appreciate if they leave the maritime bills for the forthcoming members whom I believe will be more credible. Let them forget about it, over the years the bills are there and nothing has been done to pass the various bills into law. To me and my body we will appreciate if they go and let the new dispensation come up because we know now is the time to effect the change. I want them to leave the bills, they should forget about the independent regulatory commission, national transport commission.
Mr. Michael Emiko [Maritime Consultant]
It is obvious that there is no time from now to May as everyone is on the look out of the general elections. My own view is this: let us wait for the new set of committees that will come on board after this tenure because whosoever that will be the new transport minister and his team may consider those bills, but for now the National Assembly and the House of Representatives are interested in politics, and as you are aware that the chair person of transport committee is contesting for the post of a Governor in her state, so how can such bills or bill be passed into law. The truth of the issue is that we should all wait and see the next dispensation and predict what the next minister of transport has for us. Ever since the various maritime bills have been deliberated upon, how many bills have been passed.
Mr. Joseph Nnamocha [P.R.O. ANCLA Apapa chapter]
If the government is serious about setting the independent regulatory commissions then what are they waiting for? Although it is possible, but I want to believe that the national transport commission is much more talked about. We all know the Nigerian issues of passing bill; if there is no exchange of money the bills will remain static. In other countries where government has the interest of the public at heart, such a bill would have been history as it will favour the sector. But in Nigeria I doubt if they would be able to do it or create for us an independent regulatory commission. The next minister can do it if it interests him, but, I doubt for now.
Mr. Stanley EJhianvei [Clearing Agent]
The federal government might be serious about creating an independent port commission, but when are they going to pass it into law. How many times have we heard on TV and radio that the house has deliberated on some of the maritime bills? Credibility is the key word when you have credible people up there to represent your interest all these will not be a problem. The committee set up by the minister has not really yielded any dividends. Maybe the next dispensation will address the issue of the bills that concerns our sector.
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