Maritime
Regional Collaboration: Ghana Understudies Nigerian Cabotage Regime
By Biztellers
The Ghanaian Maritime Authority GMA has commenced a 10- Day program to understudy the implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act also known as the Cabotage Law in Nigeria under a collaborative arrangement with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR, while addressing the Ghanaian delegation, expressed delight at the opportunity to share knowledge on Cabotage implementation noting that it will not only enhance regional collaboration, but also have a multiplier effect of increasing local participation in the regional maritime industry.
L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, OFR; Director Legal/ Board Secretary of Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mrs. Patience Diaba and Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services NIMASA, Engr. Victor Ochei during a study visit by members of the Ghana Maritime Authority at the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos
“As a regulatory and enforcement agency, we are committed to ensuring that our core mandates are accomplished in such a manner that will provoke economic development for Nigeria, while growing indigenous capacity in line with international best practices.
Since the advent of the Cabotage Act in Nigeria, about 68 percent of vessels trading within the country’s maritime space are now Nigerian-flagged. We have also made progress in the area of placement of Nigerian seafarers on board Cabotage vessels, as well as building vessels from the keel, particularly smaller crafts.
He also spoke about the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) introduced to offer financial assistance to operators, stating that the fund is obtained through the collection of a 2% surcharge from the total contract sum performed by any vessel engaged in Cabotage trade. Jamoh expressed optimism that the amended Cabotage Act will be signed into law very soon.
”The Cabotage Act, was signed into law in 2003 after two decades of implementation and reality on ground, it is now clear that the law requires amendment and the Nigerian National Assembly have made tremendous progress towards having the revised Cabotage bill assented to by Mr. President”
On her part, the Director, Legal/ Board Secretary of Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mrs. Patience Diaba expressed delight at the opportunity to learn from the Nigerian experience in its implementation of the Cabotage law.
L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, OFR (left) presenting a souvenir to the Director Legal/ Board Secretary of Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mrs. Patience Diaba during a study visit by members of the Ghana Maritime Authority at the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.
Diaba opined that Ghana is privileged to have an opportunity to learn from the experience of Nigeria; stressing that the valuable insights would ensure Ghana avoids the pitfalls and challenges that plagued Nigeria at the initial stage.
Her words: “We appreciate the time and efforts of the NIMASA team who will be sharing their insights and expertise with us over the next few days. We look forward to a fruitful discussion and site visits, especially the visit to Port Harcourt and other activities that have been planned for us.”
“We are confident that our time will be rewarding and we will return to Ghana better informed and equipped to implement the Cabotage regime in our nation. We are excited to begin this 10-day study tour.”
In his welcome address earlier, the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Engr. Victor Ochei observed that Nigeria’s Cabotage achievements did not come without pitfalls and struggles that were surmounted through consistency.
“Our achievements, processes, knowledge acquired and experience are what we will be sharing with you within this short period of time. Luckily, you will be gaining these set of skills without the inclusion of the pitfalls we had to learn from to attain our current level.”
“In the course of this under-study, we intend to chronologically take you on a historical sojourn and enlighten you on our famous “4 Pillars of Cabotage”. We shall put you through the enabling legislations and instruments that empower us to operate as well as our enforcement procedures amongst others,” Ochei said.
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.
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.
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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.
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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