The Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) has expressed doubts about the possibility of hosting the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) as the first quarter of 2024 runs out. This is even its expressed reservations about the current readiness and lack of direction within the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as well as the maritime industry at large, posing significant obstacles to the successful hosting of NIMAREX.
NIMAREX, an annual maritime expo was conceived in 2011 by the indigenous ship owners to showcase Nigeria’s enormous maritime potentials to international investors. Apart from showcasing Nigeria’s maritime accomplishments, NIMAREX helped the federal government during this period by establishing appropriate Acts and laws to encourage the indigenous practitioners.
Unfortunately, the infighting between the indigenous operators led to the collapse of NIMAREX. The annual event went into limbo after a lackluster edition in 2016.
The President of NISA, Otunba Sola Adewumi during his acceptance speech promised to revamp the moribund secretariat of the association adding that NIMAREX will be on focus before the end of 2023.
However, during an exclusive interview with Shipping Position Daily, Adewumi while stressing the need for proper preparation, announced plans to reintroduce NIMAREX early in 2024, assuring stakeholders of a well-organized and impactful event that harnesses Nigeria’s vast potential.
When contacted recently by one of our correspondents, the NISA President underscored the primary hurdle in their path, citing the absence of support or direction from the recently established ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Adewumi raised concerns about the apparent lapse in the performance of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) while questioning the essence of organizing a program that might not be appreciated by stakeholders due to the prevailing uncertainty and lack of direction in the industry.
The Association helmsman however stressed the association’s ongoing commitment to restoring NIMAREX despite encountering formidable challenges in their pursuit of organizing a successful and meaningful event.
“We still have it as part of our plans but the challenges we are having now is getting ourselves ready to hold successful and meaningful events because we are not getting anything from anybody from the ministry that has just been created.
“Nobody knows the direction as we speak. Even NIMASA is not doing its work the way it should be done. So what is the essence of putting a program together that people will not be appreciated? But we are still talking to them and still engaging them. The new Executive Director for Cabotage has promised to meet us and these are some of the things we will discuss with them.
“Let us be futuristic about the event, it is not immediately because if anybody holds an event concerning that, I’m not sure he is going to get anything meaningful from it because there is no direction. We don’t even know where we are going. Everything is at the standstill and things are not predictable. Things are not really going well in the maritime industry” Adewumi lamented.
On his part, the General Secretary of the association, Mr Rowaye Jubril acknowledged the challenges but assured that NIMAREX remains a priority for the association. He revealed the multifaceted responsibilities on NISA’s plate, including addressing concerns of members’ welfare, business improvement and vessel acquisition.
Jubril reassured stakeholders that NIMAREX has not been abandoned but requires meticulous planning to ensure the inclusion of all members and garner the attention of key agencies and participants crucial to the event’s success.
The association’s scribe emphasized that they are also actively engaging with relevant agencies, including NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on critical issues such as payment of levies in local currency and members’ welfare.
“There are a lot of activities going on. NIMAREX is on the plate. It’s a priority. But, of course, we need to plan it properly. So we need to be sure that we carry along all members. We also need to be sure that we are going to get the attention of all relevant agencies and of course those participants which are very key to a successful event. So these are the issues. It is not that we have jettisoned it.
“NIMAREX is still on the plate. It is just that we have a lot of things to actually handle as an association. Issues with NIMASA, members’ welfare, we are looking at how business will improve, and vessel acquisition. We are engaging the agencies especially NIMASA and NPA on this issue of payment of our levies in local currency” he concluded.
