Capt. Adewale Ishola (Master mariner)
First of all, we are all aware of Nigeria’s re-election into the IMO council which is a step in the right direction, for us to have retained that seat means that we are recognized. Secondly, in this year, we saw the flagging off of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme by NIMASA in collaboration with the some states, it is based on a 60-40 funding and recently we saw other states joining in the programme, these are good steps in the right direction.
The only confusion we are seeing now is the setting up of another maritime security body, we don’t know how it will be in the eyes of the IMO which is watching us, creating another maritime body at this time is not really necessary and we must be careful with what we are doing and we must ask whether we are going along with SOLAS at all, even if its then created, government must make sure that it is headed by a civilian and not a military person.
Also, looking at the port access roads, the roads are really bad and it’s always congested with traffic all the time.
Again, in Nigeria we must not rely only on one training institute, we must have more. The reason why our seafarers are being moved abroad is because the one we have have at Oron alone can not do the job.
Dr, Boniface Aniebonam (Founder, NAGAFF)
2009 has been eventful because we are alive, but we still have a lot to do to give direction to this country and to international trade, the government of Nigeria is doing a lot in repositioning the port industry and international trade in Nigeria, so its really been rough because people seem not to understand and conform themselves to the law of the country. A clear example has to do with genuine declaration for custom purposes, importers and their agents have refused to do so and that’s why we have a clog in our port activities. The most worrisome aspect is that the agents of government who are expected to enforce the law seem to connive to cheat the same government they swore on oath to respect, this has been the problem.
In 2010 however, I will want to see a situation where Nigerians will fall in line with the seven points agenda of Mr. president, specifically in the port industry and fighting corruption because most of the problems we are having in the ports have to do with human element.
Owolabi Omotayo (Water transporter)
For the outgoing year, I can’t say there have been a lot of improvements in the sector.
In the industry, there are still challenges, but for the coming year 2010, government should focus more on empowering the players in the maritime sector and should also come up with laws that will properly govern the sector such that it will be easy for practitioners to abide and government will benefit from. Unlike the Cabotage law and other laws which are not working, they should make sure the indigenous practitioners play more active roles in the sector. The financial sector should also be improved upon in order to assist the industry practitioners to expand. Finally, the people should also learn to adhere to the rules of the game.
Onuchukwu James (President, IMAN)
For the year 2009, I can say that we have experienced victory in the port industry and the maritime industry because we are now united, organized and so can present a common interest. I want to say that if the Freight forwarders who are our agents can be well organized and informed, the importers themselves having aligned with the seven point agenda of Mr. President and having complied with the rule of law, will together grow the industry by providing jobs for Nigerian citizens and also develop the nation.
I believe that 2010 will not only reposition Nigeria as the leading maritime sector in West Africa but also as one of the most empowered maritime nation.
Ray Ugochukwu (Maritime journalist)
By my own assessment the performance is on the average though it may not be up to some people’s expectation, based on the disappearance of congestion at the ports despite the global meltdown. The various reforms in the port system have also helped in terms of neatness and stability of government policy.
The re-election of Nigeria into the IMO council is also an achievement. Having said that, the negative aspect of it is the cost of doing business at the ports; it is on the high side and its contributing to inflation in the country. We expect that next year government would put policies in place to arrest the situation because any action carried out in a maritime nation that does not allow acquisition of vessels is on the negative side, with NIMASA’s effort we should expect something good next year.
Demola Irinyemi (Registrar, IFFN)
The maritime industry has moved some step further in every department, particularly in the areas of marine operations, maritime advocacies and so on.
In a nutshell, the industry has performed well, but efforts should increase towards placement of experienced personnel in strategic positions for full implementation of the Cabotage law that will help create jobs and develop the entire industry.
Alhaji Abdulateef Adesokan (Ass. Nat. Sec, IFFN)
There has been lots of improvement in this year compared with what was obtainable last year. This year; Nigeria maintained her position in the IMO Council. Also, in terms of management, training and operations of maritime activities, Nigeria performed excellently well compared to last year. However, our activities and performance in the industry can be improved upon next year.
Shuaib Idris (DMD, Dangote flour)
I think the industry has been stable during the year, freight charges have been stable. However, the unfortunate incident that happened in Atlas cove when militants attacked the oil distribution facilities sent wrong signals to the industry concerning security. Furthermore, we have not achieved much on Cabotage target, movement of goods and passengers within Nigeria and along the west coast of Africa is a big challenge.
Funding is also an issue because many entrepreneurs are wishing to own vessels to partake in the virgin west coast shipping business, but they cannot, due to absence of long term funds from the banks, the much talked about Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund is yet to take off. On human capital, with the demise of NNSL, we have lost the avenue to train Nigerians; MAN Oron provides theoretical knowledge and background, but offers little employment prospects.
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