BPE seeks NIMASA’s partnership to re-float National Unity Line

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is seeking the partnership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in other to refloat the now moribund National Unity Line.

The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety

Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside presenting a copy of the

Nigeria’s maritime industry forecast to the Director General of the

Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh when he paid a

courtesy visit to the head office of NIMASA in Lagos.   

Director General of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, during a visit to the Dr. Dakuku Peterside led management of NIMASA in Lagos, said the BPE will be willing to partner NIMASA in the quest to revive the National Unity Line in collaboration with the private sector.

As the agency of government that is responsible for sector reforms and enterprise reforms of the Federal Government, he called on the NIMASA to take a common position with the Bureau in realizing the privatization mandate, which will be forwarded to the National Council on Privatization as the strategic way forward for handling this particular enterprise.

Though NUL is no more, the license is still very useful especially has it has to do with the Cabotage and Local content Acts, since the entity has some privileges in line with the above Acts.

According to him, “We have looked at the Nigerian Unity Line and the only tangible asset they have is operating license. The license confers on the enterprise certain privileges, deriving from the Cabotage Act and also from the Local Content policy. This can be the foundation for the building block of a virile shipping business in Nigeria.”

He emphasized that businesses are better managed by the private sector and that government has very little to do in business apart from creating an enabling environment for businesses to strive.

He also commended efforts of the Peterside’s led management of NIMASA in repositioning the maritime sector.

In his speech, Peterside stated that shipping to an extent defines the growth trajectory of any nation especially as it relates to seaborne commerce.

He further noted that the greatest asset in the maritime space is the vessel itself and if there are no vessels, one cannot be a major player. “You can only be a major player in name, but in reality you will not get maximum benefit from trade.”

Peterside disclosed that the only way to guarantee the efficiency and effectiveness of shipping, which will add value to the economy, is through the involvement of the private sector.

The NIMASA boss noted that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has initiated a process whereby people from the private sector will pull resources together to float a National Fleet, facilitated by the Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA, adding that the process which will enhance the Nigerian Flag is ongoing.

Furthermore, he stated that the Ministry appointed a National Fleet Implementation Committee, headed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, who is also working closely to with the Agency.   

“The emphasis of the Federal Ministry of Transportation is to drive a process where we will refloat the National Fleet, this time with the core investors that will own 49 per cent of the shares, whereas, Nigerian Ship Owners will own 51 per cent of the shares of the firm and the firm will also be given the National Career Status. We are looking at different models, hence the importance of this engagement, so that we can review what has happened over time and choose the best model,” he said.