Jonathan Nicole (President, Shippers Association Lagos State)
From the shippers association’s perspective, we expect that the new marine committees of the National Assembly and the new Minister of Transport will work together to put most of the problems in the port right. We don't expect anything less because the maritime industry is reckoned as the second revenue earner for the government and it has to be properly organized, most of the grey areas we have highlighted for government should be taken care of, we expect that our cargoes should no longer go to Cotonou, they should be resident in Nigeria and this will create employment, most of the importers who have left this country should be encouraged to come back through the reversal of policies and laws. We as shippers have provided the cargoes and what will make Nigerians comfortable, we actually expect much from these committees in return.
Oladipo Bolade Lawrence (Special Adviser to ANLCA President)
The committees should be proactive and must be able to listen to stakeholders, if there are complaints from us, we should get their official e-mail address so that we can send to them directly, some of them are not practitioners and there is need for us to always furnish them with latest development as operators in the port. My expectation is that they should be proactive, they should have a listening ear and whenever they are coming for any inspection at the port, the stakeholders should be notified so that we would come and give them first-hand information, in the past, what normally happens is that whenever they come for an inspection, they just go directly to the executive officer of either NPA or NIMASA; but these people may not be able to give them first-hand information, it is the stakeholders that will be able to give them the details on problems and proffer solutions.
Bolaji Sunmola (President, Stevedoring Companies Association)
We are waiting for their pronouncements on how they can help the new government in terms of maritime policy development, actualization and totally revamping of the port processes. Don't forget that we have a legislation awaiting promulgation as well as various Bills yet to be passed, we hope they will speed on that and let us have that document. To a greater extent it will help in the development of the port industry. Stevedoring as a service provider must be among the laws that must be passed by the lawmakers; this will lay to rest issues that we have contending with terminal operators and NPA.
Aloga Ogbogo (Executive Secretary NARTO)
There is nothing new to expect from the lower and upper chambers’ committees as regards marine transport, the 7th assembly failed to pass any transport bill into law when they are aware of the fact that the transport sector plays a key role to trade facilitation and the nation's economy. The ports and harbour bill, NTC bill and other relevant bills are still pending before the floor of NASS, therefore we expect those bills to be passed into laws. There is nothing new to say when it comes to expectation because we have been saying it for them to pass the bill, yet nothing has been done.
Matthew Alalade (President Merchant Navy)
I wish the Senate and House of Representatives committees on marine transport the best in the course of discharging their duty, but the fact still remains that the marine industry has witnessed a major setback from all front knowing full well that our ship owners are not encouraged by government to do shipping business in a way that will benefit Nigerians. Most of the Nigerian bound vessels are being diverted to neighbouring countries which in turn has boosted their economy, while Nigeria is losing. Therefore we expect these new committees on marine transport to address issues bothering on shipping business in Nigeria, by putting in place laws that will encourage business. I believe the government is in the best position to help the indigenous ship owners for them to remain in business. The upper and lower chambers have a key role to play as part of efforts to turn around the situation.
Joseph Anabaronye (Registrar FFAN)
It’s a pity that Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima, chairman ,senate committee on marine transport does not have any experience as regards maritime and as chairman I don't think he is going to make much impact, but as a matter of legislature anybody can be there; so far he or she has a good consultant that can guide him to achieve his dream as chairman. I don't really know how they set up their committees but I think professionalism should have been the key word as basics for the committees being set up. However we don't expect anything much from them due to the fact that they are not professionals when it comes to maritime activities.
Joseph Atoloye (Clearing Agent)
My expectation from the upper and lower chamber committees on marine transport is that they should address issues surrounding the rail line for effective movement of cargoes, because the roads are in deplorable state. With the rail in good shape, movement of cargoes in large quantities to places like Kano and Kaduna where we have a large number of businessmen as importers. It is very important for the NASS to look into that aspect of our economy, because the road is causing a lot of problems as regards trade facilitation and that is why the committees should look into revamping the railway sector to assist international trade.
Musa Akinyemi (Registrar CMA)
The upper and lower chambers should ensure that the Nigeria National Shipping Line is revamped to encourage Nigerian youths and the industry in general. And if that will not come to reality under these committees on marine transport from the NASS, then I think they are yet to do anything good or positive as regards the maritime industry. Our expectation is for them to consider a national carrier and I believe once they are able to put policy that will revive a national carrier; I believe everything will be in place to project the maritime sector.
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