Stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry have lauded the creation of Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, stating that in the new year, more attention should be given to the access roads leading to the ports while efforts at improving indigenous capacity among ship-owners through the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) should be intensified.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao explained that disbursement of the CVFF and issues around the access roads should be major priorities in the new year.
“The agenda is already set for 2024. We have the new ministry, Marine and Blue Economy, which is a laudable effort by government to harness the potentials of the nation’s maritime industry.
“We want all hands on deck, but the government must set out the policy framework. Although the policy direction is not out yet, we in the industry know what the industry needs. We are the ones that wear the shoes and know where they pinch.
“Going forward into next year, the issues and bottle-necks around the various access roads leading to our ports must be resolved.
“We are all aware that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently burst a syndicate cloning documents for the E-Call-Up system, thereby issuing out fake ETO documents to truckers at exorbitant cost.
“Efforts must be made to rid the ETO app of all encumbrances. If there are more syndicates involved, they should be brought to book.
“Also, in the new year, we want the CVFF disbursed to indigenous ship-owners. This will greatly improve indigenous capacity.
“Also, we want a high-powered delegation from the Presidency to be set up on the failing port infrastructure so that they can be repaired. The Break Water in Warri, Tin-Can Island Port and other failing [port infrastructures need to be given urgent attention in the new year,” the NAMM president told the Nigerian Tribune.
Speaking also on expectations for 2024, president of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, called for the dismantling of illegal checkpoints along the nations ports access roads.
“The interference by state and non-state actors, manipulation of ETO system by owners of NPA approved parks, uncontrolled release of Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), among other factors leading to increase in traffick along the port corridor should be dealt with.
“The menace of hoodlums popularly called area boys mounting illegal road blocks along the port access roads should be looked into going into the new year,” the AMATO Chairman told the Nigerian Tribune exclusively.
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