Okonmah Steve (PRO, PTML Customs)
Okonmah Steve (PRO, PTML Customs)
Luckily and surprisingly, 2014 is starting under a new regime of PAAR, the clearing agents are already testifying to it; that this is a beautiful regime for them, if they are starting well this way, you can imagine how this year is going to be for them. But I will always want agents to know that no matter the situation, whenever there is change, there are bound to be teething problems, so they should imbibe the culture of dialogue in any situation they find themselves this year, people taking laws into their hands is not acceptable by the authority and it will not be condoned. But, if they imbibe the culture of dialogue, whatever the level of the problem you find yourself, with dialogue it can be solved, I expect them to be more proactive this year.
Umar Omeiza Jimoh (President, NPA Senior Staff)
The year 2013 was a trying one, it was a year that really put everybody on their toes, we believe that the experience of 2013, if well sieved, we should know where we are heading in 2014 as it affects the maritime industry. There is need to have the right people in the right place. The issue of having enough manning hands, the policing of the country's waterways to ensure that pirates are kept at bay, it is not only the NPA, all the players including the navy, marine police, you and I, NIMASA and the NPA, even the shipping companies and the concessionaires, all hands must be on deck to make sure that the security of our waterways is assured. It is only then that we can have more business. We should also learn not to seed any part of the port environment to third parties, it will only make cost of doing business at the port go higher and make people to run away from our ports. With the plan of the government to improve electricity, there is need to focus more on the rail systems connecting the ports to hinterlands in other to further make the ports transit areas rather than storage facilities they are currently used for, this will clear away the artificial congestions at the port.
Ojo Akintoye (ANLCA, Tin Can)
We are expecting a lot from the industry in 2014, especially as in concerns the increased tariff on imported vehicles, every stakeholder in the industry is watching and waiting to see how it will work out because the policy will definitely affect our revenue this year if government refuses to soft pedal. Government needs to suspend the policy because, as it is, they have not created an alternative for the masses to fall back on, this is the same thing that was witnessed with the increased in tariff of rice, already, there was a lot of apprehension in the sector last year, we saw people embracing smuggling and government lost a lot of revenue. Apart from these, in 2014, we expect to have a smooth working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service, especially with the introduction of the PAAR, we are very hopeful that in terms of goods clearance, we will have a better year than 2013.
Cosmas Ndimkora (Chairman, PTML NAGAFF)
For 2014, we are beginning to put our house in order so that things will be managed by Nigerians, this is what we have been asking for; that in everything we do in the maritime sector there must be local content, we are clamoring for 50 percent participation, Nigerians are now taking charge of certain things, one of them is the PAAR, formerly it was managed by destination inspection agents, but now it has been handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, what we want now is to encourage more investors in the maritime industry.
Prince Olayiwola Shittu (ANLCA President)
I expect the Federal Government to re trace their steps this year because when they are planning to do what we call policy for the maritime industry, the stakeholders are not carried along, the experience we had in 2013 as regard stakeholders, to advice government on certain actions was not there. It is not far-fetched because the industry has multiple ministries of government that supervises the role of agencies that are in the port and they don't have a platform where they can warehouse ideas from their different agencies and see how to harmonise it. 2014 is a year we look up to, where a one stop shop form of payment will come up in the industry. For example in Benin Republic you pay your charges once, that is with one invoice, but in Nigeria such don’t work out because government do not want it to work out like that. Also there is the need for government agencies to have a regular meeting among themselves and with the stakeholders on how to move the industry forward.
Comptroller Zakka Audu (CAC, Western Marine Command)
I think management of the Nigeria Customs Service and the government in general should expect better performance this year from us because we are expecting more equipment that will enhance our performance to curb smuggling and related vices under our jurisdiction. Thus we are assuring Nigerians that with such facilities on ground this year, we will surely do more when compared to last year.
Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick (National Coordinator SNFFIEC)
My expectation for the year 2014 and even 2015 is to ensure that the maritime sector is free from corruption. An economy that is free from corruption brings about progress. It brings about more revenue generation for the Federal Government and eliminates intimidation and exploitation. And for us to achieve world best standard in the maritime sector so as to boost other sectors of the economy, we need to eliminate corruption from all the components that make up the industry. We also want the National Assembly to speedily pass the port and harbour bill into law for the purpose of regulating port operations
Ismail Aniemu (Maritime Journalist)
In 2014, we expect an industry that will come under proper regulation for the benefit of the country, the economy and investors. The port and harbour bill that has been lying in the parliament needs to be worked upon because with the absence of a commercial regulator in the Nigerian port industry has not fared better. Therefore the National Assembly needs to speedily pass the bill into law. The various acts in the maritime industry that are due for amendment to meet international best practices are what we want the government to put into consideration this year. I think the National Assembly have a very significant role to play this year in order to put the maritime industry in proper perspective by bringing out legislation and by fast tracking the amendment of extant laws that have outlived their usefulness.
Comrade John Okpono (Merchant Navy)
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) must be well taken care of this year because it’s the right of the seafarer, and with the two proposal in place to better the lots of our seafarers, I think 2014 will be wonderful as regard changes and if the MLC is well handled, it means well for Nigerians. As it is for the year, we will also have a say as a union because we are also nominated to be part of the ministerial committee that will make decision on the proposal of MLC which is of an advantage to us as a body in the industry and all this will take effect this 2014. On the area of safety and security on our territorial water, the executive bill should be taken into cognisance. The MASECA bill needs to be revisited by the National Assembly because it is what we want even the PIB, is essential for Nigerians as well, but there are so many political issues attached to them on why such bills are still pending before the parliament and when you analyse these bills, you will find out that politicians do not want those bills to see the light of the day due to their interest and it’s not helping the country to move ahead.
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