95% of our members are out of business – Ship Owners

Tayo Oladipupo |

Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) has stated that 95 of its members have been out of business due to unfriendly government policies in the maritime industry.

The Capt Dada Niyi Labinjo-led group described the nation’s shipping sector as a sinking ship with mast afloat, urging government to rescue indigenous operators before it’s too late.

Lagos Co-ordinator of the ship owners group, Captain Franklin Taiwo Akinpelumi reiterated that members of the association have no contract of lifting of crude oil due to lacklustre attitude of the regulatory agency to implement and enforce the Cabotage Act.

According to him, foreigners have higher stake in Nigeria territorial waters than local operators, noting that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) must ensure that concerted efforts are put in place to encourage local participation for shipping business to thrive.

“Let me say this that if there is any of our members that is in business then it can be up to 5% in business and if we want to glorify the position we find ourselves than I can say 10%”.

Akinpelumi who is the Chief Executive Officer, Oceanic Energy Nigeria Limited, lamented that lack of cargoes have rendered most members of the association jobless adding that the government has failed to invest, to the sector.

He stressed that the nation’s shipping sector has failed to perform as expected following the lull in local shipping participation.

“To develop the shipping sector is no rocket science .It’s about policy statement through marine notices and everything will take shape”, he said.

The Lagos Co-ordinator maintained that with the right policies by the government, shipping sector can be revamped but added that “We have fought, delivered papers, made cases but government has failed to understand how the sector works”.

The ship owner urged the government to move the marine industry out of its theoretical position to practical oriented driven sub-sector by encouraging the local operators to stay afloat in business.

He maintained that access to cargoes by local operators can bring back the good old days in shipping business.