Federal Government has concluded plans to partner with the private sector to float Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi disclosed this in Lagos at a “National Workshop on PPP Strategy for Infrastructural Development and Modernisation in the Nigerian Maritime Sector”, organised by the agency in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulation Commission (ICRC).
Akpobolokemi said that President Goodluck Jonathan has tasked NIMASA to ensure that the national carrier is brought back during his regime.
This according to him is in addition to the Dockyard/Shipyard and Maritime University project in Okerenkoko, Warri in Delta State. The NIMASA boss assured that government is trying to do this by involving a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in order to avoid the pitfalls that led to the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).
“When the NNSL got liquidated, it was because it was managed by government, so, in the next six months, working with the private sector, we want our shipping line back”
“When this comes on board, it solves the challenge of securing sea time for cadets, right now we are investing so much in sea-time training, but perhaps we may just spend little of this money if we train them locally in addition to wealth creation, it is even a source of capital flight, it is uncalled for, it is a very big setback. Therefore we are determined by the grace of God that in the next six months, we want to make sure this national carrier comes back and Mr. President has also told us to work on this national carrier issue to come to stay in his regime” Akpobolokemi stated.
He also tasked Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA) to constantly mount pressure on NIMASA on the status of the national carrier project on weekly basis, because according to him, there must be no room for failures. “We can’t afford to disappoint Nigerians”, he assured.
Also speaking at the forum, Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Alhaji Aminu Dikko added that the national carrier idea is coming at a time that the dearth of infrastructure development in the country has limited productivity.
According to him, government has always provided infrastructures and funded it, instead of committing private sectors which according to him can easily access loans within and outside Nigeria to facilitate projects. He told the gathering that the ICRC was formed to correct that. “This is coming at a time that the lack of adequate infrastructure is seriously limiting the country’s productivity, growth and competitiveness” he noted.
Also speaking, Chairman of the board of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority; Dr. Chris Asoluka, said that government has finally realized the importance of the private sector in maintaining infrastructure. It would appear that government has realized that it does not have the monopoly of ideas and resources, and the PPP arrangement is an invitation to the private sector in terms of idea contribution”
According to him, there will be a buy-in of the private sector because people will understand how decisions are arrived at, the secrecy of government will no longer be present and this will bring about confidence in financing.
“With this, the level of activities in the maritime sector will explode” he said.
