Leading Nigerian Mariner tells NIMASA, c’ttee, proposed shipping register must generate revenue

By Samson Echenim

In order to achieve success and attract overseas vessels and shipowners to the Nigerian ship register currently being put together by a committee, the register must meet world class standards and existing international frameworks, a first class marine engineer, Josiah Wassa has advised.

Such international frameworks include UNCLOS requirements, UN Conditions For Registration of Ships and several International Maritime Organisation’s requirements. Wassa said the committee must not cut corners, but come up with a register transparent and globally competitive to be able to generate revenue and spur economic activities in the country’s maritime industry.

In an exclusive chat with business a.m, the revered mariner affirmed that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was on the right track to build a shipping register for Nigeria as any country wishing to acquire and develop a national fleet must first establish a shipping register.

“Above all, the Nigeria Ship Registry should be open in its operations, equip professionals for tonnage measurements, create revenue stream, generate maritime related economic activities among others,” Wassa said.

Wassa, however, expressed dismay over the current NIMASA management ability to deliver successfully on the reform, saying that industry technocrats do not believe the management was sincere and competent.

“For professionals in the industry, we doubt the sincerity and competency of the current management and board of NIMASA to carry this important reform through to conclusion,” he asserted.

Dakuku Peterside, director-general, NIMASA, last month, inaugurated an implementation monitoring committee to drive the reform of the Nigerian ship registry with Emmanuel Ilori appointed as its chairman.

Peterside had, while receiving the report of the committee on the review of the nation’s ship registry, promised not to lay the report under the carpet, but to implement the recommendations of the committee with dispatch.