Yemisi Izuora/Hyacinth Chinweuba
Stakeholders in the maritime industry have advised government to seek professional input during policy formulation, adding that some of that some of the challenges facing the industry has to do with lack of consultation with them.
Speaking at the just concluded 2015 Maritime Platform National Discourse organised by Platforms Communications some of the operators said except some challenges plaguing the sector is addressed, the maritime industry will remain under-developed.
The discourse with the theme “Nigerian Maritime Sector in the Next Five Years: Deciding Where We Want to Be”, attracted participants from far and near, including the former Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Dr. Chris Asoluka, President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, the Chairman of the Port Consultative Council (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin, and other licensed customs agents.
The participants maintained that there was need for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to come up with immediate, short and long term measures to tackle these ills.
They stated that the lack of financial capability for indigenous ship owners was the reason why they wait endlessly for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) even though the CVFF is not the only solution for shipping development in the country.
According to them, the maritime stakeholders have not been adequately consulted previously in formulating policies for the sector, a situation which they said, has hampered policy implementation in the sector.
Divergent views being expressed by stakeholders on critical issues have not helped the sector in making a stronger advocacy, hence the need for integration of all interest groups in the sector.
On the way forward, they called on Buhari to “identify, prioritise and develop our primordial interests and advantages because in pursuing all, we lose all; propel Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to come up with operating guidelines as the port economic regulator to enable stakeholders understand the platforms on which they would be regulated; increase capacity building as an essential tool for growth and development in the maritime industry.”
The stakeholders also stressed the need to empower women and accommodate their participation in policy making to enhance economic growth amongst others.
According to them, discriminatory attitude among maritime training institutions leading to unhealthy competition and rivalry should be avoided, as it is not good for the maritime institutions and graduates.
“Besides, reduction in the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports will prevent diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries. The report of the Presidential Committee set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan after the 2011 maritime retreat should be enforced by the current government as it gave clear road-map on how to develop the maritime sector holistically.”