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· Amendment Bill Aimed At Improving Agency’s Efficiency, Says Gbajabiamila
· Ministry Moves Against 12% NIMASA Revenue For Maritime University
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that the Ninth Assembly embarked on the Amendment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003 due to the need to improve the regulatory instruments in the Nigerian maritime sector to meet current realities.
Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open the two-day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, NIMASA Act Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, as well as Coastal and Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020.
He stressed the need for appropriate regulation of the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with the realities of the times to ensure maximum utilization of the nation’s maritime sector.
On her part, Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration, Linda Ikpeazu said the public hearing was to ensure that the decision of the Legislature regarding the Bills are taken from a well-informed position premised on submissions from maritime stakeholders from all aspects of the industry.
She said: “It is common knowledge that the maritime sector is a foundation and catalyst for the growth of nations with marine endowments. And by any standard, Nigeria is well endowed by ocean coastline, rivers and rich marine biodiversity.
“Not only are we focused on making the maritime sector a key alternative source of revenue and economic growth to our dwindling oil resources, we are also poised to develop a prosperous blue economy for our nation, akin to similar success in the maritime nation around the world.”
In his submission, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, commended the National Assembly for embarking on the review of the laws governing the maritime sector noting that the new NIMASA Bill under consideration will enhance the capacity of the Agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian maritime industry in line with international best practice.
Minister who was represented by the Director, Legal Service of the Ministry, Paul Oteh, however, expressed reservation about the Agency funding the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko.
“The ministry does not support 12 per cent of NIMASA revenue going to the University. The proposal, in our view, also does not recognise the fact that the university, like other public institutions under the supervision of the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education, is ordinarily entitled to public funds as may be appropriated by the National Assembly on an annual basis.”
Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Victor Ochei, adopted Amaechi’s position as that of NIMASA.
The Nigerian Navy, on its part, supported the amendment of the NIMASA Act, urging the National Assembly, to look critically at the security component of the bill to ensure that the relationship between the two agencies is enhanced.
Also, Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo, who applauded the initiative, said it will improve NIMASA’s institutional capacity and enhance maritime administration in Nigeria.
Gambo, who was represented by Rear Admiral Solomon Agada, said: “The provision of a separate section on marine casualty and the proposed establishment of a Maritime Accident Investigation Unit, will improve compliance with extant regulations, such as, the international regulations for preventing collision at sea, 1972 and thus enhanced Maritime safety.”
The Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, WISTA, CIOTA Nigerian Welfare Board and the National Association of Master Mariners, among others, participated in the event.