‘Implement Maritime Acts To Create Employment’’

DESPITE the existence of three legislative instruments meant to develop indigenous capacity in the maritime sector, none has been implemented to enhance indigenous capacity for employment creation, in line with the provision of the Acts, the National President, Council of Managing Director of Customs Licensed Agents, Lucky Amiwero has said.

Amiwero, who called on President Muhammadu Buhari, in one of his Memo to the Presidency recently, said coordinated maritime policy implementation was necessary for the sector with potential to generate several thousands of jobs.

According to him, the non-implementation of these Acts by government agencies has caused retarded growth of the nation’s maritime sector, hence the domination of maritime trade by multi-national companies.

He said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) Act, Coastland and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Deveopment Act are policies yet to be fully implemented.

Amiwero said the Cabotage Act ensures the establishment of maritime fund to promote the development of indigenous shipping and shipping infrastructure in Nigeria, adding that 25 percent of NIMASA revenue is being paid into the fund meant to promote indigenous shipping and for the benefit of Nigerian ship owners. He however lamented 10 years of its existence and Nigerian ship owners are yet to derive any benefit from the fund.