...as FMOT Moves Against 12% NIMASA Revenue to Maritime University
Harboursandport.com: Abuja - Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila Tuesday announced that the 9thAssembly embarked on the Amendment of the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003 due to the need to improve the regulatory instruments in the Nigerian maritime sector to meet the need of current realities.
Honorable Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open the
two-day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and
Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021,
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act Repeal &
Enactment Bill 2021, Coastal & Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020.
 |
L-R: Coordinator, Abuja Zonal Office, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Zailani Attah; Director Cabotage Services NIMASA, Mrs Rita Uruakpa; Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Linda Ikpeazu; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services NIMASA; Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and Registrar of Ships at NIMASA, Mrs Nneka Obiayor during the public hearing for the amendment of Maritime Bills at the National Assembly Complex Abuja.
The Speaker noted the need for appropriate regulation of
the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with the realities of the times to
ensure maximum utilization of the nation’s maritime sector.
On her part, Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety
Education and Administration Honorable Linda Ikpeazu said the public hearing
was to ensure that the decision of the Legislature regarding the Bills are
taken from a well-informed position premised on submissions from maritime
stakeholders from all aspects of the industry.
She said: “It is common knowledge that the maritime sector is a
foundation and catalyst to the growth of nations that possess marine
endowments. Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed with ocean coastline,
rivers, and rich marine biodiversity.
“Not only are we focused on making the maritime sector a key
alternative source of revenue and economic growth to our dwindling oil
resources, but we are also poised to develop a prosperous blue economy for our
nation, akin to similar success in the maritime nation around the world.
In his submission, the Honorable Minister of
Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, commended the National Assembly for
embarking on the review of the Laws governing the maritime sector noting that
the new NIMASA Bill under consideration, will enhance the capacity of
the Agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian maritime industry in line with
international best practices.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Legal
Service of the Ministry, Paul Oteh, however, expressed reservations about the
Agency funding the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko. "The ministry
does not support 12% of NIMASA revenue going to the University. The proposal,
in our view, also does not recognize the fact that the university, like other
public institutions under the supervision of the NUC and the Federal Ministry
of Education, is ordinarily entitled to public funds as may be appropriated by
the National Assembly on an annual basis." The Director-General of
NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who was represented by the Agency’s
Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Eng.
Victor Ochei, adopted the position of the Honorable Minister as NIMASA’s position.
The Nigerian Navy, on its own, supported the amendment of
the NIMASA Act, urging the National Assembly, to look critically at the
security component of the bill to ensure that the relationship between the two
agencies is enhanced.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo, who
applauded the initiative, said it will improve NIMASA's institutional capacity
and enhance maritime Administration in Nigeria.
Gambo who was represented by Rear Admiral
Solomon Agada, said, "the provision of a separate section on marine
casualty and the proposed establishment of a Maritime Accident Investigation
Unit, will improve compliance with extant regulations, such as the
international regulations for preventing collision at sea, 1972 and thus
enhanced Maritime safety."
The Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN),
Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, WISTA, CIOTA Nigerian Welfare Board,
National Association of Master Mariners amongst others were stakeholders who
made presentations supporting the proposed amendments to the two Acts of the
National Assembly under consideration.
No comments:
Post a Comment