Captain Akinpelumi Taiwo (Master Mariner)
We need to properly look into the definition of a National Fleet to enable us distinguish it from a National Shipping Line. Every ship owned by a Nigerian and registered in Nigeria is part of a national Fleet. My position remains that the government has no business in business. My advice is, instead of going into acquisition of a national fleet, government should rather focus on empowering indigenous operators, through the provision of infrastructures, access to cargo, other interventionist fund, disbursement of the CVFF and others to enable them to grow capacity in order to attain National Carrier status.
Aminu Umar (Ship Owner)
I think we have to, first of all define what a national fleet is. I believe it is because of the definition that we are having some mix-ups and emotions. There are people who look at the National fleet as reviving the Nigerian National Shipping Line which was 100 percent owned by the government and people are feeling that the government should not go into business. But I think the minister of Transportation has made it very clear that the government has no interest in investing or taking over a company that will be fully owned by the government but should be private sector-driven with private championed investments in vessels that are going to be flying the Nigerian flag and registered under the Nigerian Ship registry. Those vessels will now be put together and be called the Nigerian fleet. It is more or less championing indigenous or local capacity development.
I am actually in support of what the minister stands for, that is creating the right environment for the development of the indigenous capacity owning ships that will be doing both local and international trade.
Captain Waredi Enuisuoh
Yes, I think Nigeria needs a National fleet with a bigger share in the hands of the private sector. It will assist in shipping development and indeed create jobs in terms of competing favorably with those sharing the industry. It will also help in stemming capital flight as well. It will in addition, boost our fleet size in terms of tonnage and IMO standing.
Engr. Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
We really need it. We are also losing revenue as foreign ships come to carry our exports. We should have our own national fleet to lift our own cargoes. It will also create employment for our seafarers and also sea time experience for our cadets. We need more officers. They can employ on PPP by going into partnership with private agencies to make it viable. I think it is very essential we have a National fleet.
Rev. Jonathan Nicole (President, SALS)
The National fleet is very intricate at the moment. Intricate in the sense that we need harmony within our trading environment. Once we have harmony with all stakeholders, shipping companies and terminal operators. It is a good idea but it should be something profitable for us. The Nigerian government is bent on getting the National fleet, but it should not just be the name but the ability to succeed. If we have a National fleet, it will be beneficial to us because our seafarers will have a place to work and the carriage of our exports will be made easy to reduce cost for shippers.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy Shipping Zonal Council)
We need a National fleet that will be properly managed, sustained within the test of time, and should be able to compete worldwide and follow the best standard of international practice. This is because our members will be gainfully employed, as it will absorb many seafarers to work. It will also enhance our standards as IMO and other nations will now see us as a maritime competitive nation. Our maritime institutions will also gain from it because the students will have opportunities to be trained.
Pius Ujubuonu (ANLCA Chieftain)
It is not a bad idea to own a fleet, but the basic thing is the readiness of the country to run a fleet within the international best practice and to have the character with which the business can be done in such a manner that the business will be responsible enough to turn in the profits that is required in business. But generally, the government has no business being in business. In most cases, most of the government businesses are run down because there is very little or no commitment and accountability in it. If Nigeria floats her fleet again, eventually what pulled down the other ones will still pull it down, because of the business character of the government.
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