- EFCC, ICPC, Ministries engage Estate Valuers for shipping quotations
Nigeria’s maritime industry growth is being stalled by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who patronize non-professionals for crucial skilled services in nation’s shipping sector.
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Nigerian Chapter made this remark, even as it lamented that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Ministry of Justice, Transport Ministry, other state and non-state actors utilize Estate Valuers for estimates on shipping assets.
ICS Nigeria warned that the nation’s shipping woes will linger until all players in the sector recognize and utilize the services of skilled professionals for valuation and recommendations on shipping assets like; ships, wrecks, among others.
Executive Chairman of ICS Nigeria, Dr. Chris Ebare said this in Lagos yesterday, when he led the Institute’s executives for a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime.
His words: “Nigeria isn’t making judicious use of its maritime experts. This is one of the biggest problems in the sector. Before acquiring a ship or seizing one that defaults in loan repayment or something, Chartered Shipbrokers should be consulted to value the asset and give expert recommendations on the best approach to the situation.”
“Shipbrokers are the experts to tell the position of the vessels, the defectiveness and the seaworthiness. Presently, the federal government sells wrecks via the EFCC, ICPC, and other instruments without consulting shipbrokers. If you visit the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Transportation, you’ll be amazed at all that’s happening without the input of Chartered Shipbrokers. These agencies consult Estate Valuers who have expertise in landed properties and houses. We wrote to the Attorney General of the Federation on this matter not long along, stressing that he has to advise the government to stop these anomalies.”
Meanwhile, Ebare stated that the group’s visit was to ensure that the existing relationship between Shippers’ Council and ICS Nigeria deepens.
“We hope to support the development of all aspects of shipping in partnership with NSC. Ship operations, management, ship building, sale of wrecks, among others are part of the areas ICS handles, but we know the core mandate of Shippers’ Council and we intend to tailor our partnership towards NSC’s functions. We also offer vast trainings and we are ready to train NSC members of staff,” he said.
He described the nation’s maritime industry as a big business capable of replacing crude oil as the nation’s biggest revenue spinner; however, he warned that these potentials wouldn’t be realized if the government and other stakeholders continue neglecting professionals.
In his welcome speech, the NSC boss, Hon. Jime stated that the ICS comes with a number of skillsets that are very relevant to the shipping industry.
“I did my research and found that the group does several interesting things especially in intermediary role via mediation. Those who have to buy ships or hire one will need the expertise of shipbrokers to provide guidance. I am sure that this partnership between NSC and the Institute is desirable. I’m glad that my predecessor already realized that and partnered with you to start some work.”
“Now, we are going to bring closure to the deliberations that have already started. I want to assure you that I’m interested in pushing our conversations forward and taking it to the logical end. In this sector, NSC is the institution that must be knowledge driven because of the nature of our mandate. We are required to have a knowledge-based agency to approach industry issues from an informed perspective for effective regulation,” Jime said.
He assured that ICS Nigeria would receive robust patronage from NSC, especially in training members of staff at the Council to enable them have requisite skills for regulating the sector.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of ICS Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Ajayi assured that the Institute’s trainings will be tailored to the needs of the Council’s workforce.
“As the port economic regulator responsible for concessions and maintaining economic balance in the sector; NSC needs trainings fitted to the various aspects of the Council’s functions.”
“We have looked at what ICS offers and the value that we have is to use the experience of our network, the right case study and framework to train in various aspects of shipping. We will do training needs analysis to look at areas where we can add value and not just throw training topics at the Council,” Ajayi said.