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Cabotage Law is fully effective in Nigeria and has created thousands of Jobs-NIMASA DG

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10 years ago

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NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi

NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi

Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi during the  Question and Answer session of the World Press Conference organized by his Agency in Lagos shed lights on the Agency’s activities in the Nigerian Maritime sector over the last four years, claiming that the Cabotage Act is in full effect in Nigeria and has even created thousands of jobs for Nigerians .  Kunle Kalejaye was there to capture his response for BIZTELLERS.
Excerpts:
 ‎Was it all rosy for NIMASA in 2014?
 
I don’t even like an easy life. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I pray for is that may the day be very difficult because out of a rough sea you will make a good captain.
When you lay things on a plater of gold, you cannot conquer things you even envisage. If you have children and everything is at their disposal, money food, cloths house, they will not appreciate what you are doing and will not understand what is life. The time they will understand what life is all about is when you are no more there to provide for them.
So the training I have is to take life as a difficult place we have come in and actually life is a difficult place. Even in our own individual life’s you will have challenges even if God speaks to us directly or loves us best, we will have challenges.
So if you come into a maritime administration as NIMASA and you think it is going to be easy it’s not possible. You see people who are stealing oil and you confront them, you think it will be easy? You see people in organised piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping in the water ways and you think it will be easy? You see people who don’t want to conform to vessles regulation, you see the bureaucracy of getting things to work. Nothing can be easy!
But the thing is that you must not give in to fear, you must have a goal and ask God for support. The most important thing is the purity of your intention that is going to save you. If your intentions are not pure God will see you ‎no matter how you want to hide.
So it has been very challenging but we are making unusual gains out of the difficult situations. The maritime administration has stayed for so long, why is that it is just in the past four years that we are talking about domain awareness? Satelite? Radial? Patrol boat?
These things comes with too much trouble but the troubles are also our inspirations and your prayers are also the thing making us to succeed. Your quite time of prayer goes a long way to help us because only one of the problem is enough to give anybody high blood pressure but we thank God none of us has high blood pressure because you are all praying for us and our intentions even though we make mistakes are not inpure.
Kindly tell us the number of jobs created under the CABOTAGE act?  
 
I know that thousand of jobs are created but to pin it to a precise number as we speak is difficult now. However, after now we can speak with the CABOTAGE unit to give us the number of jobs created under the CABOTAGE regime, there is nothing hidden about it. But I know that we have created thousand of jobs.
These are not things that we have to go to the street to be telling people. When oil companies now do advert, they will mention that ‘Adherence to the CABOTAGE Act’ is mandatory.
Why the delay for a National Carrier?
 
I appreciate the anxiety because if I was in your shoes, that is what I will do to the DG, asking him how many jobs have been created under the CABOTAGE act? Why the delay for a National Carrier?
In the first four years, the efforts put in place have not materialised into practical reality that will enable us have a national carrier but we are setting the foundation for it
We equally know that the areas we are lacking is too much and we are taking them one at a time and it is becoming too difficult.
Right now as we speak a committee on National Carrier has been constituted, a blue print is been worked upon which we want the government to address and we will not allow government at all level to rest until they given us what Nigerians are asking for.
So by the next four years of this regime, a national carrier will come. Therefore I appreciate your anxieties, your feelings about it because it is a constructive way to think.
How many vessels has been attacked under your watch?
 
‎What I know is that in the last one month plus the number of vessels attacks we have stopped in Lagos area alone and the number of pirate in our custody is alarming. None of them succeeded, some of them have been handed over to the navy, and civil defence for persecution. Some of the vessels are in our custody.
If any pirate wants to attack any vessel in Lagos, it will take the grace of God for them to succeed because while they are planning to attack the vessel, we are already aware of it and ready to strike them.
Besides the satellite, we have other mode of operation that we can use to get these people. If you kidnap we will go after you! That is why we are saying that people should not pay ransom for hostages to be released. We have to go after them and crush them. We will all die some day and that is the truth about the matter. It is either we die in the hands of pirate or in the hands of robbers or in our sleep or sickness or without any cause, everybody will die at some point in time.
So the issue of fear to approach pirate or afraid  ‎one kidnappers should not be there. They use to text me but I will reply them that we are coming after them and will crush them.
We must fearlessly approach any person that is causing us problems. For pirate in Lagos area cannot operate because before they go out, we crush them and we are going to sustain that. If I tell you the number of vessels that we have arrested including pirates and areas we have conqured in collaboration with JTF alone, you will be surprise.
Why are wrecks still in Lagos waterway?
 
Government has awarded contract to remove wrecks in all our maritime domain. They have started and by the grace of God, the wrecks are going to be removed. The first phase of the job has been awarded in the Southern areas, in Lagos among others.
Let me tell you something, You will issue marine notice 20 times to tell people to remove their wrecks but nobody will show up but the day you want to remove their wrecks that has been abandoned for fives years suddenly you will see the crew. The next day they have gone to court to get injunction. Am telling you what is happening.
We have so many court cases against us to remove wrecks. We have the mandate to remove these wrecks but if I tell you the number of litigation against us. That is to tell you that we must change our ways.
Somebody’s wrecks that is negative in terms of money will go court and say that it is $10 billion meanwhile the actual cost of the vessel might not be up to $1 million. After using the it for 20 years and abandon it he is coming to ask for $10 billion ‎compensation. That is the true situation.
Help to educate our people because wrecks can cause navigation problem, criminals hide there and that is why some don’t want us to remove it because criminals are helping them do their biding.
How many Nigerians have benefited from Seafarers program?
Over 2,500 of them. We have two windows , the first window is state and NIMASA partnership. From the MoU we have with the various state, we contribute 40 percent they contribute 60 percent but we contribute far beyond 40 percent because the traveling expenses, medical fee, feeding, accommodation etc of the seafarers are taken care of by NIMASA.
However, some states refused to partner but we created another window that is the one that is addressed as first aid participation and the number is very few. Therefore, the bulk of the over 2,500 seafarers are NIMASA full time training, full time scholarship. We spend billions of naira yearly for this training. 
 
How many arrest and persecution of sea pirate and oil theft have been executed?
I must be honest with you, persecution is a major problem. If I tell you that we have been successful in persecution, am not telling you the truth. To implement the laws of this country is a major problem.
When you take a pirate to court, in the next one hour you see him sending a text that is his back and is going to deal with you‎. Sometimes is it very sad when I think of things like this.
It is not about what we can do because there is separation of powers. What the law say we cannot do, we cannot do!
Because of this issue of persecution, we assembled judges and appealed to them to look into cases of pirates. If someone steals crude oil and is jailed for six months or one year, it will serves as a big discouragement to others not to do the same thing. But after 24 hours you will see the theft calling you that he is back!
It is a major problem for us and it is not what we can fix single handedly rather all of us must come and find a solution.
Our job is to arrest sea pirates, crude oil theft and present them to the court but what happens thereafter, I don’t know the magic.
Why has CABOTAGE not being enforced?
 
If people think we have not being enforcing CABOTAGE, No! That is not the situation. For Nigerians to get the job, we had two meetings with all the oil majors, we came up with some resolutions, we have subcommittees and we told them that Nigerians must get the cargo, Nigerians must get the job.
 So the sub-committees have started their job, we have met with  the oil majors and in January, 2015, reports will be submitted then all parties will jointly agree and we will call the private sector to come and listen to us and make input to the implementation of the CABOTAGE regime.
When NIMASA detains a vessel for none compliance with Cabotage Act, we will give you a detention order and tell you what and what you have done. Some will evade our taxes and the rest of them and then begin to cry foul.
Some will want to link us with politics and the rest but we are not politicians, we are doing our job. If you violate our laws  ‎irrespective of your political affiliation the first thing we will do is to detain your vessel, take you to the court, if you bribe your way out of court, well that is your luck!
We have to do our job and leave posterity to judge if we did our own part of the bargain or not. We are going to go after them, the OPTS is already working with us with the purpose to implement the Cabotage  regime and other necessary business.
Once we are through with all the resolution and the rest of them, we will invite the press and tell them that this is the communique that has been agreed on, this is the timeline for ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, waver conditions etc.
I have personally written to oil companies to give jobs to Nigerians when they have vessels. No matter tight my schedule is, I have personally gone to inspect some of these vessels and I have written to so many companies saying “this vessel by the estimate or by the assertion of management meets the requirement of the Cabotage law…..and on no condition should this job be given to any foreigner.”
I have written so many of these letters and many Nigerians have gotten jobs but I will not come and announce this kind of thing.
Once you draw my attention that you have these vessels, just give me the information and that oil company will not move if they like take me anywhere.
If I don’t fight them, I can be removed before the time God prescribe for me in this job so the best thing is to prepare to fight for Nigerians. When someone brings in a vessel that Nigerians can do whereas our boys are not working, there is unemployment, there is crime, and will sit down comfortably and allowe these kind of things to happen. No it can’t happen.
So we will go after them one after the other and ask them if they are CABOTAGE compliance? If no, what are the reasons? If it is something that is exceptionally difficult for us to handle at that time, we will now look into the problem.
Since the inception of this agency, there has never been this kind of enforcement of regulation before. The only difficult aspect of the CABOTAGE law that we have not been able to implement is the distribution of CVFF but in terms of employment, the crew and the jobs, I have personally being signing them.
When people write letters that they have vessels, I personally go to inspect them and I tell them on no account should job be given to a foreigners because these  Nigerians ‎have gone to collect heart breaking loans from Nigeria banks and if you don’t give the person job is it not hypertension you want to give to him?
And when the person gets the job, is it not Nigerians that he is going to to employ? Do I have a farm where I will employ all Nigerians? This is the only way to go but it will come with so much bad name. That is the truth but it is you the press that will help us
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Maritime

NIMASA Makes Dockworkers Registration Compulsory

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1 week ago

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October 26, 2024

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The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has advised International Oil Companies, terminal and jetty operators, and all other companies involved in stevedoring in the country to refrain from engaging unregistered dockworkers.

The information was contained in a statement made available to Biztellers by the Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward.

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According to the statement, all stakeholders, including dock labour employers and stevedoring companies, are encouraged to apply for new operating licenses or renew expired ones within a 30-day moratorium period.

“This requirement,” it added, “is stipulated by the NIMASA Act of 2007 and outlined in the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations of 2014, which mandates strict compliance from all maritime operators.”

Osagie cited the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola as laying emphasis on the need for stakeholders to comply with extant laws and regulations.

Dr Mobereola said, “No terminal or company shall continue to engage the services of unregistered dockworkers for cargo handling at their work locations.

“This move is part of our broader effort to ensure safe and regulated operations within Nigeria’s maritime industry. Compliance with these regulations will enhance our ability to maintain an up-to-date database of dockworkers operating in the country. It also improves our planning processes, as we are committed to developing their capacity to meet globally accepted standards for dockworkers in Nigeria. We intend to enforce full compliance after the moratorium period.”

It was gathered that the NIMASA Act, 2007, Part IX, Section 27, addressed the registration of Dockworkers with focus on Maritime Labour.

“It ensures the Registration, Regulation, and control of Maritime Labour, including dockworkers. The Act assigns the Agency the responsibility of maintaining standards in accordance with international best practices,” Osagie added.

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Maritime

Maritime Diplomacy: Nigeria Seeks Election Into IMO Council

Published

2 weeks ago

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October 23, 2024

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Nigeria has expressed a strong desire to seek election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.

The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure at the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Barcelona, Spain.

Oyetola noted that Nigeria has put in place the basic needs for the development of her maritime industry in line with recognized global best practices.

In his words, “our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.

ALSO READ: Snakes, Scorpions Endanger Students At UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla

There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.

“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council.

On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, assured that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in the quest for IMO Category C membership at the next elections.

According to him, “We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.

”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others. While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO.”

Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the NIMASA; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.

This year’s parallel event with the theme: Navigating the Future: Safety First, brought together international maritime leaders and experts to discuss future challenges and opportunities, with the aim of ensuring that safety is prioritized in the day-to-day operations of the global maritime sector.

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Maritime

Why PPP Is Necessity For Nigeria’s Maritime Infrastructural Dev’t – Mobereola 

Published

3 weeks ago

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October 15, 2024

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The adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is essential for the infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

This is the view of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

The DG, shared his views while hosting the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh.

He emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

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Dr. Mobereola said, “We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure. We need the ICRC to develop PPP based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.

“There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders”.

Lending support to Dr. Mobereola’s views, Dr. Ewalefoh, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy.

He noted that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Additionally, he stated that the ICRC is prepared to engage with the Agency on its projects and ensure timely execution.

“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC boss noted.

The PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth.

Biztellers reports that as a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administrator, the NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.

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