Engr. Alex Peters (Master Mariner)
Nigeria, as a maritime nation, has attained great heights over the years.
She has accumulated a lot of knowledge, expertise and experience, even if these are not being optimally tapped or utilized presently.
The only very serious failure now is the lack of a credible national fleet akin to the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). I have always strongly advocated that it was a bad mistake forcibly shutting down NNSL and that the only way to create a credible tonnage for Nigeria quickly is by recreating a national line.
Yes, Nigeria deserves another term, but let us use it to do the right things.
Usman Sanusi (President, NAGAFF)
Well, Nigeria being a council member of the IMO irrespective of the category is not only a thing of pride, it is an indication of the stake we have as a nation in the global maritime industry.
Membership of the council confers some privileges and voting rights on member countries when vital decisions concerning the industry are being taken at the IMO Council meetings.
As a potentially powerful maritime nation within the sub region, I sincerely hope our membership of the council will translate into the development of appropriate promotional, developmental and regulatory capacity that will eventually translate into the development of a viable national fleet and the acquisition of the much needed marine and ship building technology amongst others.
Good luck to Nigeria
Otunba Kunle Folarin (Vice Chair, PCC)
Yes, Nigeria deserves a second term of the IMO Council membership.
Nigeria’s contributions in the affairs of the council and the IMO were robust and clearly impacted on the image and the objectives of the organization.
Emeka Akabogu (Maritime Lawyer)
If there is opportunity for Nigeria to retain its IMO Council seat, it should be explored. Going forward however, we need to be more proactive in identifying and maximizing the benefits of that seat as well as requiring of ourselves and implementing shipping practices consistent with such a position.
Capt. Adewale Ishola (Master Mariner)
Yes, we deserve to be there. We started seafarers’ development programme, seafarers’ identity document, we are implementing IMO SOLARS and MARPOL conventions, etc. With these, I think Nigeria deserves to be re-elected to that seat again and even move to Ctaegory “B”.
Capt. Thomas Kemewerigha (President, Merchant Navy)
It’s a good direction for Nigeria, if we are on the seat, we will have a say as a maritime nation and a free flow of idea on how best to derive benefits from being a member.
We should thank NIMASA management for the good work so far, we deserve being re elected because we now have the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which some countries don’t have, we are trying to increase number of flags.
The search and rescue teams and other things that have been put in place will give a better opportunity to get Nigeria into the category “C” as well as move higher to category ‘B’
Solomon Akindehin (Maritime Consultant)
I think it’s a good idea, though there has been little or no benefit from being a member of the council, but I believe Nigeria can still get something if we utilize the opportunities of a second chance. We should think of encouraging indigenous shipping and I think this will boost our profile as a maritime nation.
We should not forget the fact that other countries are also trying to get to that category, so we can’t rest on our oars. Rather, we should put in our best by increasing national fleet, and having another shipping line that will perform better than NNSL. Good luck.
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