By Sylvanus OBASI, Lagos
Maritime experts and stakeholders have set a blueprint for the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy led by Mr Adegboyega Oyetola to follow if he must achieve sustainable shipping in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 6th edition of Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held in Lagos on Monday, the maritime experts took turns to discuss the theme of the Conference entitled, “A Blueprint For Sustainable Shipping: The Significance of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”.
In his Keynote Presentation, the Principal Partner, Akabogu and Associates, Dr Emeka Akabogu posited that sustainable shipping remains the backbone of a resilient thriving economy, as it encompasses practices that ensure that the long-term health of the oceans while meeting the economic and logistical demands of global trade.
According to him, these practices consist of holistic approach to shipping that ensures the activities involved do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs and the needs of their era.
As a blueprint, Akabogu who was represented by his partner, Barr Victor Onyegbado listed four guiding lights for the new ministry, which include integrating the environment, society and economy such that economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental degradation or social inequality. Inter-generational equity, which speaks to responsible use of resources and preservation of the environment for future inhabitants.
Other two guiding lights for the ministry, according to him, include pollution prevention, which speaks to minimising pollution of the air, water and land, which speak to involving the use of cleaner technologies, responsible management and stricter regulations while the 4th guiding lights speaks to conserving both the resources and bio-diversity.
Also speaking while discussing the topic as a Panelist, the former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temisan Omatseye highlighted eight key actions he would like the Minister to prioritize as a new ministry.
These according to him include to digitalise and automate the entire processes of the ministry and all her agencies and parastals; ensure immediate passage of a national maritime policy; professionalise NIMASA by changing its organogram to ensure it meets her core mandate; unbundle the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) into three different companies to handle the Western, Delta and Eastern Ports to encourage competition and efficiency.
Others include to create an expert group made of people from all sub-sectors of the industry to act as advisory body to the ministry; put mechanism in place to fund the sector; develop fishing terminals as areas specific to fishing and finally to survey Nigeria’s seabed.
Speaking further, Omatseye emphasized on the need for immediate passage of a National Maritime Policy saying, “Right now. Nigeria as a country does not have an approved national maritime policy which basically states clearly what our policies are, and something that also captures national maritime strategy.
“What that does basically is that it surpasses a situation where we may have a minister who doesn’t have an understanding of our ministry and he comes in and possibly derails us which is what has been happening quite clearly. We are having people who come to run the maritime sector but do not have an idea or anything about maritime sector.
“Therefore, we require a strategy which have clear-cut Key Performance Indicators (KPI) so that irrespective of them bringing somebody who doesn’t know much about the industry, he will have a clear-cut guidance on what to do”, he posited.
Also in her contributions during the panel discussion, Mrs Oluseyi Oluyede, Managing Director, Niger-Benue Transport Company Ltd talked about the challenges facing the ship-building and ship repair yards in Nigeria.
According to her, these include lack of funding, inadequate human capacity, lack of skilled workers amongst others. She however called on the ministry to establish Skill centres and also provide funding to support ship building and repairs in Nigeria which she said would stem capital flight, lead to job creation and revenue generation for the government.
On his own, the President of Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, Bodunrin Adewole disclosed that his association has made a presentation to the National Assembly advocating that any disputes arising between the government agencies and foreign companies in Nigeria should be resolved in Nigeria through arbitration.
He maintained that taking arbitration to foreign countries is not favourable to Nigeria as it leads to capital flight. He also emphasized the need to have more dispute resolvers in the Nigerian maritime industry.
Also speaking as a panelist, the Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Vivian Azubuike maintained that the private sector has always been reaching out to the public sector for collaboration.
Adding that it is important that the public sector under the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy listens to the private sector and embrace collaboration.
Mrs Vivian further emphasized the need for the ministry to have advisory group which Mr Temisan Omatseye mentioned earlier which she said should consist of experts in the private sector.
The Panel discussion was moderated by Mrs Foluke Akinmoladun, Managing Solicitor, Trizon Law Chambers who in her submission also canvassed for ship owners to source their ship financing from foreign companies and use the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) as securities.
Meanwhile, earlier in his welcome address, the President of The Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, Mr Benson John underscored the need for every maritime stakeholder to play a critical role in ensuring that the future of maritime sector we create is better than today.
He outlined three fundamental aspects which he wants every stakeholder to take note of in order to achieve a better future for th maritime sector. These according to him include to cultivate leadership; embrace responsibility as leaders of the today not tomorrow and to believe that difficulty is not impossibility.
Also in his opening remarks, the Chief Host and sponsor of the TAAM Conference, Dr Taiwo Afolabi thanked maritime dignitaries and students who participated in the conference.
Dr Afolabi who was ably represented by the Manager, Corporate Communications of SIFAX Group, Mr Muyiwa Akande pledged the continuous support of the SIFAX Group to the program and all other industry programmes aimed at creating awareness and deepening maritime development and discourse in Nigeria.
Highlights of the occasion included Paper Presentation and Panel Discussion; Maritime Blueprint Debate Competition as well as Award Presentation to some outstanding students.
