Mr Rowaye Jubril (General Secretary, NISA)
Looking at the recent development and moves for the deployment of the floating dock by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, I believe it is sincere in this regard and it’s a good development for Nigerian ship owners. However, the agency should ensure that the floating dock is run and managed by a world-class facility manager with requisite knowledge and expertise in drydock management and similar facilities. This will help in the effective utilisation of the dock and in turn generate revenue to the government and provide more job opportunities for Nigerians.
Dr. Chris Ebare (Chairman, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers)
I read that the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Jamoh said that the floating dock finally will be yielding billions of dollars and naira to the federal government. That is revenue. With the current development, I just hope they are not trying to bamboozle us. We are praying and hopeful that the outcome will come out well. I know Jamoh to be a sincere and straightforward person. We just hope that they have not come to bamboozle Nigerians and the whole world at large.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (
The Nigerian Maritime Administration of Safety Agency has invested a lot of money in the purchase of that modular floating dock, which is expected to build shipping capacity and provide more revenue for the country. NIMASA has also followed through all the necessary procedures to handle government assets. The management of NIMASA is also dealing with her sister agency which is the Nigerian Ports Authority. I believe this is highly commendable. Speaking on the sincerity of NIMASA in the deployment of the modular floating dock, I believe the location of the asset which is the is Continental Shipyard Dockyard in Apapa, Lagos is open. There is freedom of information and anyone can access it.
Engr. Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
In my own opinion, I think privatizing it is the best option. It should be a Public Private Partnership and not NIMASA operating it; being a regulatory agency. The new development is commendable but I think accountability is key for the effective deployment and utilization of the floating dock. Another aspect that should be looked into is, if it is going to be well-utilized and profitable. So let it be privatized and it should also have Nigerian contents.
Captain Henry Gomwalk (Master Mariner)
To concession the floating dock will be a good thing to do rather than allowing it to lie somewhere unutilized. The problem is that there is a level of debt it has already incurred. We don’t really know what NIMASA is trying to do as regards that. But at the moment, concessioning seems to be a better idea of what to do, that is if it is a honest concession. One thing with people who work for the government is to tell you one thing and the other is for them to do it the way it should be done. Sincerity is when they open up the process on how they decide to concession it. Did people actually bid for it, and are they the best persons? Rather than just waking up to the news of concessioning. If it is done in a sincere way, it will open up the Continental Shipyard itself; which will be better used.
Engr. Wale George (Vice President, Nigerian Merchant Navy)
The truth about the floating dock is that NIMASA has no business purchasing the floating dock. It does not serve them any use. If they procured it and it cannot serve them, then they need to give it to those who are in that business. Whoever they are concessioning it to, as long as the floating dock is useful for Nigerians, it is a welcome development. I think the best person to give the floating dock is the naval dockyard or Nigerdock who are professionals. Giving it to other professionals who do not have experience and has no justification will be termed as waste of resources.
Otunba Sola Olatunji (NISA Member)
I am worried, because this floating dock has been there for years without utilization; coupled with the fact that a lot of resources have been used for its acquisition. It is very saddening that so much money has been wasted on it without accruing any benefits to NIMASA or by extension Nigeria since some people went on this white elephant project in the first instance. In addition, the government continues to be irresponsible when it comes to business. Following the current development, we hope that they will get it right this time, so that indigenous shipowners will be able to easily drydock their vessels without stress and extra cost.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy Shipping Zonal Council)
When the foundation is faulty, the building would collapse, unless a stringent measure is taken to strengthen the shaky foundation. They ought to have known what they wanted to do with that floating dock before they purchased it. As we speak, people are still taking their vessels outside the country for dry-ocking. This is totally unfair and unproductive on the part of the government. All the same, we hope that the floating dock will be fully-utilised, so that revenue can be generated from it. Having a partnership with a private company or even giving it to some Mariners who know what to do is a welcome development, but they must have proper terms of agreement.
