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.
The Speaker noted the need for appropriate regulation of the
Nigerian maritime industry in tune with 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 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 growth of nations that possess marine
endowments. Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed by ocean coastline,
rivers, and a rich marine bio-diversity.
“Not only are we focused on making the maritime sector a key
alternative source of revenue and economic growth to our dwindling oil
resources, 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 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 practice.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Legal
Service of the Ministry, Paul Oteh, however expressed reservation 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 Ship Owners 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.
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