Stakeholders in the maritime industry have expressed concerns about the current state of the N50bn Modular Floating Dock, that was acquired by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) some years ago, and which has remained idled and dilapidated. They also pointed fingers at the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh for the travails of the dock.
The stakeholders who spoke to Shipping Position Daily last week painted a grim picture of the ill-fated multi-million Naira asset, even as they expressed doubts about the commitment of NIMASA to ensuring that the craft comes back to life.
While expressing great displeasure over the performance of the current Director General of NIMASA, as regards the floating dock, the stakeholders noted that the hope for full utilization of the floating dock is bleak under the leadership of Dr Jamoh at NIMASA.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the NIMASA recently said it has commenced preparations to deploy its multi-million Naira Modular Floating Dock. The agency disclosed that the Floating Dock has now been moved to a jetty at the Standard Flour Mills in Apapa, in preparation for its final movement to the scheduled operational base at the Continental Shipyard, Apapa. But, no timeline was given in the statement.
Sadly, there has been a lot of back and forth since the craft was acquired in 2018. It has been idling away since then, even after being concessioned to a company known as J. Marine Logistics Limited.
The expensive floating dock has suffered adverse treatment; the worse being that NIMASA treated it like an unwanted child, unsure of what to do with it and at a point, where to locate it.
Recall that NIMASA had in a press statement issued by the Assistant Director Public Relations of NIMASA; Mr Osagie Edward in October 2023 had stated that Melsmore Marine Nigeria Limited is responsible for the relocation of the Modular Floating Dock, from the Naval Dockyard to the waterfront of the Dolphin Jetty at the Continental Shipyard belonging to the NPA.
As questions linger about the agency’s effectiveness and the fate of the multimillion-dollar project, industry stakeholders have expressed doubts over the status of the asset, calling for a change in leadership and a more consultative approach to revamp and utilize the floating dock.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, the President of Nigerian Ship owners Association (NISA), Otunba Sola Adewumi did not mince words as he accused NIMASA of deviating from its primary mandate of promoting shipping.
Adewumi asserted that the DG of NIMASA seems more interested in collecting funds than addressing the needs of ship owners. He however called for the removal of Dr Bashir Jamoh as the DG of NIMASA questioning his dedication to the development of the maritime sector.
In his words: “NIMASA is an organization that is not adding any value to anybody as we speak. That is the way I see it. I make bold to say that all they are interested in is just to collect money. They have seen themselves as collection agencies, rather than facing the core objectives of NIMASA.
“How do you explain a situation whereby the Nigerian Ship owners Association writes a letter to the DG that we want to meet him and he is avoiding us? Promotion of shipping is supposed to be your core duty and you are avoiding ship owners. NIMASA has deviated from their original objective which is to promote shipping and they are not doing anything.
“I think they should just remove the headship of that place. I don’t know why they are still keeping him there. All of us know it is politics, but there are some things that the government should avoid. He is not contributing anything to Shipping Development at all”, Adewumi alleged.
On his part, the Chairman of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), Dr Chris Ebare lamented the broader issue of implementation challenges within the country. Drawing attention to the Modular Floating Dock, he lamented its non-operational status despite significant financial investment.
Ebare blamed it on lack of planning and consultation before acquiring the dock, questioning the feasibility of its purpose and the billions of Naira spent on its acquisition and movement. He recommended a separation of the project’s day-to-day operations from NIMASA’s leadership, citing the need for specialized expertise to ensure its effective implementation.
“Implementation is one of the major problems that we are facing in this country. You do something and at the end of the day, implementing such a laudable project or law lacks the technical know-how. I mean the kind of experts to implement it and it becomes moribund. This is the same thing you are seeing in the area of the floating dock.
“Nigeria is not the only country that has tried to operate a floating dock. Other countries have floating docks and we know what a floating dock is. It is a revenue spinner that can generate revenue from all around from other foreign vessels including local vessels that are supposed to go for either servicing or repairs.
“I know the DG of NIMASA as an intelligent person and I believe probably something, somehow must have inhibited him from implementing this laudable project effectively. But that is very unfortunate. My sincere advice is that they should look for people that can operate and drive the project”, Ebare said.
Also speaking, former National President, Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engr. Matthew Alalade suggested that responsibility of operating the floating dock should be conceded to established shipyards like Continental Shipyard or Nigerdock, citing their expertise and experience.
While lampooning NIMASA for not consulting stakeholders before acquiring the facility, Engr. Alalade expressed disappointment over the agency’s inability to manage the floating dock effectively.
“NIMASA is a regulatory body. Do they want to be doing maintenance and repairs too? If it is their function; so be it, because we don’t know which function they are following now. They just want to do everything which it is not supposed to be” Alalade concluded.
