Mk-George Onyung (President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria)
Who then has the powers to disburse the fund? What does the Cabotage Act say about CVFF? If you read the Cabotage Act, the Minister has a part to play. It is not a matter of political will or no political will. If you are appointed as a Minister, you are not appointed for political campaigns. If you are appointed to act as a Minister, you are to look at what a Minister is expected to do. Everyone is expected to do what they are appointed for.
Osuala Nwagbara (Maritime Lawyer)
In the absence of a substantive minister for the Ministry of Transportation, the Minister of a State acts. I think she’s coated with all the powers of the Minister in charge of that Ministry including the power to disburse CVFF. The fact that she is the Minister of State does not rob her of the power to take decision. After all, she has recent times be touring facilities within the maritime industry, making important statements and give advice to stakeholders and giving directives that are very key to a better maritime industry in Nigeria. So that power can actually be exercised by her. Just like an acting governor taking decision in a state when the governor is not around, the Minister of State right now is exercising the powers of a substantive Minister , even though she’s not one. She can take a decision and exercise the will to take that decision. She can actually see to the disbursement of the CVFF if she has the political will to do that.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (National President, Master Mariners Association of Nigeria)
The answer is Yes, but it may not be so quick as we thought because the country has no forex currently and the government has great interest in any money either official or private. But if you ask me if the Minister of State for Transportation has the political will to disburse the CVFF, the answer is Yes. They need to do some work because the National Assembly, Minister of Finance that controls the money, Governor of Central Bank and others will all be involved. Basically, our oil export is down, we are looking at non-oil export for sustenance. So they will not just jump into the money and take it. But at least, our cry has been heard. Hopefully, we would get something.
Engineer Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
Since she is acting for the Minister, she should have the political will to do so. The Federal Government knows what they are doing. They might have used the money for other things. But I see no reason why they should not disburse the money and monitor it well. The banks should also get marine experts so that when the fund is disbursed, they will know what they want to exactly use it for and not divert it to other things.
Henry Orarotimi (Maritime Lawyer)
Why not? She’s is a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I know she has the participatory connection to do that. I won’t say she has the power and whether or not she has the will; it won’t depend on the political exigencies. In this situation, I think all hands should be on deck not only from the end of the Minister of State for Transportation, but other stakeholders so that the needful can be done as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the issue of Cabotage has been more of theory than practical.
Captain Segun Akanbi (President of Maritime Professionals Forum)
The Minister of Transportation already set up a committee sometime ago to oversee the disbursement, and the Minister of State for Transportation also showed much eagerness to do same and she made it clear that only ship owners who had contributed to raising of the funds from the 2% contribution from contracts would be a beneficiary. We as seafarers only hope by the time this money is being disbursed, they do not forget to buy at least a training ship. That would completely eradicate the problem of seatime for cadets and would enhance enough man power for the Cabotage ships when they arrive. We hope that they buy standard ships that would be fit for purpose. We hope that they maintain the quality and standards of welfare for their crew as it is obtainable with the foreign companies.
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