Barr. Osuala Nwagbara (Maritime Lawyer)
Barr. Osuala Nwagbara (Maritime Lawyer)
All of the stakeholders from the maritime sector who have won positions in this new dispensation are people who I believe have the interest of the sector at heart. I see the Nigeria maritime environment jumping many times over in the right direction, I see lots of activities in the maritime industry in Nigeria under the new dispensation thriving. I foresee changes in maritime laws and policies, thus it is something to look forward to because those that won can easy talk more about the industry and the need for change about the ills of the sector.
Chief Reuben Onyejike (SNFFIEC)
My expectation is very high, because the maritime sector plays a key role in the economy growth and we will want to see a situation whereby those voted into power should work for the sector by ensuring that the sector is protected through policies like the Ports and Harbour Bill to empower the council to perform better in its economic regulator roles. We want those voted into power from the sector to put in place measures that will empower the operators. They understand what we are facing in the industry and it will be better for us if they can address it in a positive way. The access road and port charges are some of the many issues we want them to look into.
Chima Sampson (Registrar)
The outgoing administration has tried to develop the maritime sector, but the truth of the matter is in the area of creating maritime committees to solve problem in the industry did nothing. We never felt their impact in anyway. The maritime players in government come May 29th should put into consideration where the industry is lacking. Before now there has been series of clarion calls from maritime stakeholders to participate in policy formulation. In a nutshell, I will say that the maritime sector is yearning for change , I will appeal to them to bring about transformation of the industry, most especially on policies that will suit the sector.
Pius David (Port Activist)
Nigerians are full of expectations when it comes to every new dispensation. We are expecting something different from what we have on ground at the moment. They need to understand that the industry has its numerous challenges; therefore we want them to work towards that direction. At this point in time much is expected from them and there is need for them to work towards that direction. Some maritime bills are still pending and we want them to look at those bills and pass them into laws for the good of the sector, problems surrounding port operations are there as well for them to tackle and above all the port access road.
Emmanuel Onyeme (PRO, Tin Can ANLCA)
The truth is that we have a lot of people who have been team players in the maritime industry, people like Alli Wakili who was a Customs Controller in Tin Can Port and today he has been elected as a Senator, we have people like Jerry Alagbaoso who was also a Controller, and from what I am seeing, this government is going to be great, but where I am putting my hope is the President-elect, I know that his footprint is what everyone of them will follow, I am not going to tell you that I am expecting much from these people because the challenges we have heard previously and the present day, they were part of it, I just expect them to use their experience to support the President and let the maritime industry have a transformation.
Ojo Peter Akintoye (Licensed Customs Agent)
My expectation from those maritime personalities at the Federal level, for example, a man like Alli Wakili, he is an upright and disciplined man, we expect that those attitudes he displayed when he was Controller here in Tin Can should also repeat itself now, the fighting of corruption and allowing the right things to be done is what we expect from them. They were part of the maritime sector before they got there, so now they should know the policy that is good for the sector, we are expecting them to promote such policies and laws that will protect the maritime sector, apart from this what is not supposed to be imported into this country should be banned, infrastructures should be put in place, and most importantly, we want them to look into the activities of the concessionaires and the laws that guide them, the concession agreement should be reviewed. At the state level, they have very few they can do, they can only link or lobby with those at the Federal level to see that the proper things are done.
Tunde Ojudun (Maritime Journalist)
These people are industry stakeholders and they know the problems facing the industry, now that they are representing the industry from their various zones, they must ensure they bring necessary change to the industry, we have bad roads, traffic gridlock, and we have issue of tank farms that need to be relocated. These are some of the issues, so now that they are going into government, they should influence decisions. If you have few members in government, they might not be able to influence policies, but now that we have more, I believe they will be able to influence government. I want to believe that this government will be sensitive to put those who are maritime persons into committees like the marine committee and it should be repeated in other fields; this is called putting round pegs in round holes to make sure things work
Dr. Okpara Ogu (Nat. Secretary, ANLCA)
I believe the maritime personalities going into politics are going there to represent the maritime industry, this is their major assignment, we have some of them like that in ANLCA who have already won seats as lawmakers, we have spoken to them and they have assured that their purpose of contesting elections is to ensure that the maritime industry is not relegated to the background, we believe that now that we have maritime persons in government, what is due to the sector will now be released promptly.
Discussion about this post