MARITIME: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STAKEHOLDERS SET TO AUTOMATE ALL PROCESSES

In its quest to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector in line with the Presidential order on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria, the Federal Government is set to automate all shipping related administrative processes in order to reduce subjectivity and corruption, thereby promoting transparency in the Nigerian maritime industry.

R-L: Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye and Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside during the 2^nd edition of the maritime Stakeholders’ interactive forum tagged: “Implementation of Executive Order I (Ease of Doing Business) in a secure maritime environment” held in Warri, Delta State.

This is one of the major consensus reached in the communiqué issued at a one-day maritime Stakeholders’ interactive forum held in Warri, Delta State with the theme; “Implementation of Executive Order One (1) - Ease of Doing Business in a secure maritime environment”.

According to the eighteen point communiqué, Stakeholders agreed that in order to realize the desired accelerated growth of the Nigerian maritime sector, the Ministry and its Agencies should explore alternate financing windows such as the establishment of Maritime Bank to address the financing gap created by the unsuitability of lending rates of Nigerian banks for the shipping business; consider reviving NIMAREX as a platform for bridging the gap between the Nigerian shipping industry and prospective international investors so as to provide impetus for growth and investment.

Furthermore, it was established in the communiqué that the Ministry and its Agencies should take urgent steps to address the challenge of under-declaration of cargo by ships calling at Nigerian ports to plug the substantial revenue leakage thus created; that the Ministry and its Agencies should cause the urgent dredging of the Escravos Bar to facilitate the access of large dry cargo vessels into Warri ports.

On the issue of safety and security of the maritime space, Stakeholders were also of the view that the Ministry and its Agencies should collaborate with the maritime Communities with a view to relying on their local knowledge and intelligence for fighting maritime crimes like piracy, sea robbery and vessel hijack.

Also, the need for manpower development and capacity building was discussed as the communiqué urged that the Ministry and its Agencies should consider a return to the former system whereby the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) all contributed to the training of Master Mariners who are currently counted at 180 with above 75% being above the retirement age.

The issue of the Apapa gridlock and access road challenges was not left out as Stakeholders charged the Ministries and its Agencies to consider establishing transit parks for trucks waiting to access the ports and implement an automated call-up system that prevents their proliferation around the ports amongst other issues discussed at the forum.

Other areas highlighted are; that the Ministry and its Agencies should consider establishing Complaints Desks and online feedback platforms to promote the ease of doing business in Nigerian maritime industry; amongst other pressing issues, all geared toward the realization of a robust and business friendly maritime sector that can compete favourably with its counterparts in other climes. 

Corroborating the Stakeholders yearnings as stated in the communiqué, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and other Agencies under the Ministry will continue to working hard to ensure less human contacts with processes in the maritime sector, which is intended to give way to transparency and discourage sharp practices in the sector and assured the forum that all the points raised will be given urgent and due attention.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation shapes the policy that drives the industry and we are servants in the industry; hence we will join hands with all Stakeholders to build this industry in order to be able to continue to provide economic opportunities for our people. I therefore charge you all to shape opinions that will help Nigerians know that some people are working hard to take the maritime sector to the next level,” Dr. Peterside said.

On their parts, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barrister Hassan Bello and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman also lend their voices and unanimously agreed that automation of all processes and collaboration with all Stakeholders are keys to realizing a robust maritime sector, which also demands the support of all industry players. 

The Maritime Stakeholders Interactive Forum was convened to provide a platform for exchange of ideas by the Ministry of Transportation, its Agencies and industry Stakeholders on Government policies, processes and their immediate and potential impact. The ultimate aim of this initiative is to ensure ownership of Government policies by the people most likely to be affected by the policies.

MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS TO GROW BLUE ECONOMY - DAKUKU

…MAERSK, GAC, CHARKINS Others Bag NIMASA Achievement Awards

… As agency awards its staff to promote professionalism

In recognition of the numerous contributions of Stakeholders to the growth and development of the maritime sector in Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) bestowed awards on outstanding maritime companies; Maersk Nigeria Limited, Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Nigeria Ltd, Charkins Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre among others, alongside some Staff of the Agency who have demonstrated commitment to the sector over the years.

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr.Dakuku Peterside, Minister of Labour, Productivity and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Board Chairman, NIMASA, Maj. Gen. Jonathan Garba (rtd) at the NIMASA Corporate Dinner and Awards Night held in Lagos.

According to the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside the awards were to identify and encourage industry players who have distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the sector in the past year. This he said will further encourage and energize others to be active towards the growth of the blue economy.   

The awards which was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos at the weekend to honour stakeholders that have distinguished themselves in various categories such as; Shipping Company of the Year 2017 (Dry Cargo), Shipping Company of the Year 2017 (Wet Cargo), Maritime Education and Training Institute of the Year 2017, Manning Agent of the Year 2017, Seafarers' Employer of the Year 2017 as well as the Agency’s best staff for the year and some others who have meritoriously served the agency for numerous years amongst others.

Speaking further, the DG also stated that the initiative is in line with the repositioning and restructuring drive of the current leadership of the Agency for the growth of the industry which is geared towards fostering a better relationship between the Agency and its key Stakeholders.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside commended the awardees especially the long serving staff of the Agency for their efforts in building a viable maritime sector for Nigeria over the years through their selfless service and dedication. He charged the winners and all other stakeholders to continue to do more for the growth of the sector as this awards is a call to double our efforts.

 “Today we will be honouring some of our best. We will be honouring those who have distinguished themselves, those who have laboured late at night to ensure that ships sail safe and berth on our shores. We will also be honouring industry stakeholders that have also contributed to the growth of this industry; every day by the little things we do, we contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy. We are a major oil producing nation, but if our oil is not shipped out of this country, we would not bring any value to that God given gift, and so, we play different roles”, the DG said.

Dr. Peterside also charged the staff of NIMASA to redouble their efforts in order to ensure that the tempo is sustained while he reiterated the Agency’s continued penchant for capacity building.

“On our part as Management, we will ensure training remains priority and we enjoin all staff to key to the repositioning agenda of the current leadership of the Agency as this is the only way to ensure consistent growth and development of individuals and by extension the maritime sector,” he stressed. 

The NIMASA boss called on stakeholders to continue to support the cause of the Agency in repositioning the Nigeria maritime sector in line with global best practices and assured that there are better days ahead, saying “All I can say to you is that there are better days ahead; NIMASA can never go back to those dark days, it will be better in each passing day”.

He also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the NIMASA Board led by Major General Jonathan India Garba (Rtd) who were both present, for their unrelenting support in the day to day running of the Agency.

The high point was the presentation of a plaque and cheque of One Million Naira to the best staff of the year, 2017; Mr. Titus Ajayi from the Finance Department.

The occasion was also graced by notable Nigerians, which include Oba of Lagos, His Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and the Honourable Minister of Labour & Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige amongst others.

The NIMASA dinner and awards night is an initiative to reward and recognize industry players and staff who have put in quality years of service and to encourage hard work amongst staff of the Agency.

JUDICIARY KEY TO DEVELOPING BLUE ECONOMY - DAKUKU

… Says Agency Committed to Continuous Collaboration to Grow Maritime

  The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that the Agency is taking deliberate steps to work with the Judiciary and other arms of Government to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry, by providing necessary updates on information and law in the maritime sector.

L-R: Former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Chair of Panel, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola and the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN, at 7^th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges organized by NIMASA in collaboration with NIALS Lagos on Monday, February 12, 2018

Speaking at the opening of the 7^th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminal for Judges with the theme “ Towards effective Admiralty in a Blue Economy” organised jointly by NIMASA and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) which held in Lagos, Peterside stated that in initiating the seminar, the Agency noted the complex and time sensitiveness of maritime issue and the consequent requirement for prompt resolutions.  

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Chair of Panel, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola and the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN, at the 7^th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges organized by NIMASA in collaboration with NAILS Lagos on Monday, February 12, 2018

According to the DG “In initiating this event, the Agency is not unaware of the complex and time sensitive nature of maritime issues and their attendant requirement for speedy resolutions often through judicial pronouncements by superior courts of records. The scenario no doubt puts pressure not only on those entrusted with the responsibility of responding to the economic exigencies, but also on judicial officers responsible for balancing important notions of justice, contract and the law”

The DG also noted that the objective of the seminar over the years has been to sensitize the target Judges on contemporary maritime law issues both within and outside the Nigerian Jurisdiction as shipping is a multi-jurisdictional enterprise.

He further added that in line with NIMASA’s commitment towards ensuring capacity building for critical stakeholders, the Agency decided to expand the scope of attendees to cover Justices of the Court of Appeal because of their critical roles in the dispensation of justice.

“This seminar was initiated by NIMASA for Judges of the Federal High Court bearing in mind the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court over Admiralty matters.  Over the years however, the participating audience was expanded to include Judges of the State High Courts of littoral states of the Federation and now Justices of the Court of Appeal because of their critical roles in the dispensation of justice in admiralty matters” he said.

The DG opined that notwithstanding the stride being made by the Agency in the area of safety and security of the Nigerian maritime domain, the Management of the Agency equally recognize the need for increased partnership and collaboration amongst all stakeholders - the Judiciary inclusive, in the actualisation of our collective vision for environmental, social and economic growth and the sustainability of our shipping and maritime transport sector in a Blue Economy.

Earlier in his remarks, the DG NIALS, Prof. Deji Adekunle commended the NIMASA leadership for continuous collaboration with relevant stakeholders to advance the Nation’s maritime industry. He said the institute will continue to collaborate with the Agency and provide necessary assistance to NIMASA in its bid to ensure a safe and secure maritime space.

It should be noted that the Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges is an initiative of NIMASA designed to sensitize judges on maritime law issues. This year’s event is the 7^th of the series and it is organised by NIMASA in collaboration with NIALS. Present at the event include; Former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola amongst other notable legal luminaries