Captain Waredi Enuisuoh
All I can say is that they should implement the one that they have in hand; if they can. Secondly, laws are like humans. They grow old too and civilization overtakes them, that is why you have to be on top of your game. As new challenges come which old laws did not address, we have no choice but to make sure we revolute to those new challenges so that we can be abreast with the current situations. Even the IMO is coming up with new laws and regulations. We don’t have any choice, but to look into our books to make sure that what we have on ground is in tandem with the requirements of the international community. It is a laudable move, but when those laws are approved they must also match them with action. We have enough laws but we don’t have qualified people implementing those laws; which is our major problem in shipping.
Engineer Bob Yousuo (National President, Merchant Navy)
Definitely, we support the Act to be amended because no law lasts forever, things change and the law should be made to fit the current situation. There’s nothing that should be permanent. Many people are complaining about the Cabotage Act. These Acts should be looked into to see the grey area and what can be done to address the issues, so that it will go the right direction. I am totally in support of it.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (President, Mater Mariners)
Reviews and amendments are welcome after many years. But the industry wants Acts that are easy to interpret and are practicable for agencies of government to implement. For instance, when Cabotage Act came into force, it stated that 2% levy of Gross Contract sum by ship owner into CVFF account. In practice, collection from ship owners was difficult. As the ship had concluded their contract and gone, IOCs and ship owners too did not factor 2% into the running contract at the time of signing.
Another issue is terms, gross contract sum, and daily hire rate applicable to oil and gas. Note that shipping is guided by the contract of afreightment and issuance of the Bill of lading. This coastal shipping of bulk cargo within Nigerian waters, based on freight, especially by multiple shippers, was not fathomed into Cabotage Act, as it were. In summary, the Cabotage Act needs thorough dissection and input of players, not implementers alone.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy, Shipping Zonal Council)
It is necessary to be amended. We have done some amendments on our part as Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association representing the seafarers/officers in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union to fasten the amendments necessary which have been done and taken to Abuja. It is highly necessary to review our laws. We cannot be stagnant, that is the truth.
MkGeorge Onyung (President SOAN)
The issue is not an amendment. The issue is a matter of how it affects the industry. Nothing is cast in stone as it is, because they have to go back to what was presented at the National Assembly and take all those contributions for implementation.
Captain Thomas Kemewerigha
In every developing society, laws are supposed to be reviewed, because the society is moving fast and if the laws are stagnant, it will not stand the test of time of the day. I am sincerely and honestly in support of the review of the Cabotage law, Merchant Shipping, and NIMASA Acts if only the peoples’ views will count.
Captain Deji Abegunde
There have always been issues as regards some of these laws. Our argument on the Cabotage Law was on the issue of giving foreigners waivers. If that is what they want to amend, that will be a very good one.
Engineer Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
I think it should be amended, because the world is changing especially with technology. Even in the IMO, things are unfolding. So I believe this is the right time for these Acts to be amended, so that we can continually be in global perspective all the time. It is high time it was amended.
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