Two months after the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announced that the N50billion Modular Floating Dock was ready for operations, the operational deployment of the asset is yet to occur.
Recall that in February 2024, the apex maritime regulatory agency commenced installation of cylindrical spuds on the Modular Floating Dock in readiness for operations.
NIMASA also reportedly moved the Floating Dock to a jetty at the Standard Flour Mills in Apapa in preparation of its movement to the scheduled operational base at the Continental Shipyard, Apapa.
News Diet recalls that the heavy 50-ton cylindrical spuds, which are for anchoring the dock, were being prepared for installation in February as the immediate-past NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, targeted operational deployment of the asset by end of first quarter 2024.
Nonetheless, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry are raising questions about the whereabouts and management of the NIMASA floating dock.
Despite promises of relocation and utilization, the floating dock remains elusive, fueling concerns about transparency and accountability within the agency.
This delay has fueled skepticism among industry observers, who question NIMASA’s commitment to managing the multimillion-dollar asset effectively.
The acquisition was initially celebrated as a significant boost to Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the country’s vessel maintenance and repair capabilities. However, promises of deployment have been repeatedly unfulfilled, leading to accusations of underutilization and mismanagement.
Speaking on this development, the President of the Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Otunba Sola Adewumi, has called for accountability and transparency within NIMASA.
The Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), Dr. Chris Ebare, however, emphasized the need for specialized expertise in overseeing projects like the Modular Floating Dock.
He suggested a reevaluation of NIMASA’s approach, advocating for dedicated professionals to manage the asset independently of the agency’s leadership.
Also speaking, a former National President of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers & Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engr. Matthew Alalade, voiced concerns about NIMASA’s decision-making process on the asset.
He called for greater consultation with stakeholders and consideration of concessioning the dock to established shipyards.
Amidst these concerns, a staff of NIMASA who pleaded anonymity offered a critical perspective on the situation: “The challenges we face with the floating dock can largely be attributed to the previous leadership’s reluctance to heed expert advice, which unfortunately has resulted in the asset becoming nearly outdated before being fully operational.”
The representative further stated that the new Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, is aware of the issues and expressed optimism that the new Director General is committed to resolving the challenges.
“Dr. Mobereola has been thoroughly briefed about the current status and complexities surrounding the floating dock. He will be actively engaging with technical experts and stakeholders to expedite its deployment and ensure it operates at full capacity as swiftly as possible.” he said.
