…to unveil Nigerian shipping policy history in maritime book
By Jecinta Ikechukwu
As part of efforts to grow the indigenous shipping capacity in Nigeria, a maritime expert/ author, Dr. Edmund Chilaka, has admonished the federal government to review the establishing Act of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for the reintroduction of cargo sharing with over $2billion freight earnings from indigenous cargoes.
Dr. Chilaka made this appeal in Lagos yesterday during a press conference ahead of the public presentation of his new book “Nigeria’s Shipping Policy and Maritime Trade up to the Early 21st Century.”
According to Chilaka, the Sections 35 to 38 of the current NIMASA Acts do not allow for cargo sharing to Nigerian ship owners, an issue he described as a disservice to the indigenous operators, seafarers and the nation at large.
His words: “We need to go back to the National Assembly to fine tune Sections 35 and 38 of the NIMASA Act. There are huge cargoes with the numerous infrastructure projects carried out by federal government, state governments and even local governments. From the Lagos-Calabar Coastal roads being planned by the current administration to the pipeline projects, even the Anchor Borrowers scheme which saw large quantities of fertilizer importation; these are huge cargoes that could enhance shipping in the country.”
“Cargo is key. Shipping goes with the cargo. If these cargoes are reserved for indigenous ship owners, it would go a long way to empowering them. This will also empower the employers of maritime labour. Seafarers will have better opportunities and other related industries will also develop.”
Meanwhile, the author revealed that the book to be launched traced the origin and implementation of shipping policies in Nigeria from colonial times to the early 21st century.
“The book contains the historical records of the shipping policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria, the successes and the failures. It also contains chapters on the following institutions and milestones in Nigeria’s maritime trade and other modal applications.”
The book is equally a product of Chilaka’s experience in lecturing and mentoring students of transportation, logistics, and the history of transport at Lagos State University (LASU) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The author packaged the book as a major contribution to the recommended texts for classwork and assignments.
In addition to the book launch, the upcoming event slated for July 25th at Rock View Hotel, Apapa, will feature award presentation to deserving captains and operators of maritime and allied marine and transportation industries.
The awards themed “Nigerian Indigenous Cargo-Carrying Capacity Advocacy Awards”, are meant to raise awareness of the law, NIMASA Act Sections 35-38, which provides for Indigenous carriers to carry Federal, State, and Local Government cargoes in international trade, and to recognize operators who are keen to bring this economic empowerment of Nigerian carriers into effect.
