Chief Eugene Nweke (President, NAGAFF)
The present administration is doing trial and error with the economy of this nation, so nobody can really say what should be expected, they are still experimenting with the economy. We woke up to the forex restriction and the next thing is 41 items were asked to go and source their forex from the black market, this has made black market an essential commodity, some people are even smuggling it, now importers could no longer travel to import because government has said they must not carry more than US$5,000, what do you expect from an importer who has ordered 200 containers? The government should go back to their drawing board and look at great nations and study how they revamped their economy, for you to revamp the economy of a nation, it is a combination of accountants, lawyers and engineers, the Ministers and the CBN should take a second look at their policies before it strangulates the economy.
Akanni Balogun (ANLCA at Tin Can Port)
The present situation in the country has made it difficult for anybody to make projections, we are only hoping, after the oil sector we know that maritime is the next revenue earner for the government, but now the revenue expected is not coming because of the reduction in cargo throughput to Nigerian port, coupled with the exchange rate that is N270 to one dollar. With this exchange rate, importation will be very difficult, I believe the year will be difficult at the initial stage, but by the time we finish the first quarter we should be able to make proper projections.
Ugochukwu Nnadi (NAGAFF Chieftain)
Stakeholders like us have stopped making projections to the government because it seems it does not make any difference, the major thing that should be looked into right now is import decisions and policies; for example, the policy on rice and the auto policy. Also, there are so many irregularities in the Nigeria Customs Service, the next stage now is for us to start going to court, by the time we drag two persons to court, they will adjust, because, the fact that you can defend an action does not make it legitimate.
Mr. Jude Ige (Chairman TCIP AREFFN)
My expectations for the maritime industry for 2016 is to see all stakeholders work together in unison for the advancements of our nation’s maritime industry and the economy as well. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council implementation of the controversial Cargo Tracking Note and all shipping companies and terminal operators should come together in their services to freight forwarders and their principals. There is need for synergy among all players in the industry by way of working together for the maritime industry’s development. However, there is need for government to encourage training of freight forwarders by CRFFN.
Elder Donatus Ofonma (NAGAFF member)
In 2016, we are expecting that the change we voted for will begin to manifest, we voted for hitch-free traffic into and out of Apapa, we voted for honesty and discipline, that the maritime sector should be a veritable revenue spinner for the government. In 2016, we are looking forward to the fruitful implementation of certain policies made by the government; we also expect that all the freight forwarding associations will come together and corporate with one another, NAGAFF as an association has started that already. We expect the customs service to do the needful by bringing down the excessive duty they are imposing now because they want to meet their target, target should not be the issue in customs, it should be about trade facilitation. In 2015, many people abandoned their cargoes inside the port because of lack of money to clear them, we don’t want that this year. Also there should be standardization in the duty payable on vehicles.
Engineer Matthew Alalade (President Merchant Navy)
For 2016, there is the need for the transport and labour ministries to closely work together and ensure that Maritime Labour Convention will be of focus . We want the domestication to be fully in place, because the ship owners are not engrossed about the agreement. The ship owners need to key into the convention. Another key area the government needs to visit is the area of cargo diversion to neighbouring country, because it is affecting our economy negatively and we will the authority to map out policies to bring the market back to Nigeria. Bringing back the market will further create jobs for Nigerians. The maritime sector has what it takes to create jobs for so many Nigerians and that is why I am appealing to Nigerian government to focus its attention on the sector.
Joseph Atoloye (Stakeholder )
First, we should thank God for the gift of life to see 2016 and despite 2015 was a bit difficult for us in the industry and the country in particular, we hope government will listen to our contribution for sector growth. I hope in 2016 there will be change in some of the harsh policies on importation by the government that will help the Nigerian manufacturers and even the importers therefore policy amendment is key this year. From our end that is the stakeholders, we need to work together by engaging government to see our best that the sector can progress. We need to put our wealth of experience as maritime practitioners together and guide the government in policy making which at the end will be of advantage to the industry. I know things will be better in 2016.
Alhaji Abdullahi Inuwa (Apapa Chairman, NARTO)
My expectation for the industry is for the government to have a friendly policy for the importers so that the cargoes will not be diverted to neighbouring countries and for the ports economic regulators to make sure that NPA, shipping companies, terminal operators do the right thing in addressing this constant bottle neck at the ports entrance that is causing the heavy traffic gridlock in Apapa and its environs.
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