By Roland Ekama
As part of measures to remain relevant in marine business, the Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA) has disclosed plans to collectively float a new shipping line .
President of NISA, Otunba Sola Adewumi disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos , during a meeting with top executives of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA).
The President who gave the name of the new carrier as “NISA Ocean Line “, lamented that it has been difficult for indigenous shipping companies to succeed in the marine business, hence the need for collective effort.
Adewumi said NISA is working behind the scene to ensure that shipping development in Nigeria stay afloat rather to go into extinction.
He noted that “What we at NISA is doing, is that we are trying to float NISA Ocean line because if our discussion with government goes right, NISA Ocean line will favour Nigerian seafarers’ and if things continue like this then am afraid everything will go into extinction “, he told the executives of NMNOWTSSA.
Continuing, he stated that:”This is a trying period for ship owners. The authorities are not taking care of shipping development in Nigeria.
“One of the NIMASA core function is shipping development and a lot of Nigeria ship owners are out of business because no right thinking person will go to bank and take loan at 35% to buy a ship.”
Adewumi who expressed displeasure on the continuous dwindling fortunes of the nation’s maritime industry, lamented that ship owners can no longer cope with the flip flop policies of the government thus the need for the initiative of establishing a liner.
The President called on ship owners irrespective of the various groups to speak with one voice and discourage foreign dominance in the nation’s territorial waters.
“It is in unity that we can achieve this struggle which is long overdue, because as we speak some ship owners are no longer in business because of the poor implementation of the cabotage laws “, Adewumi noted.
He stated that relevant authorities failed in their capabilities to promote shipping development in Nigeria adding that ship owners have their own fair share in the pitfall to grow local capacity.
The NISA boss lamented that management of NIMASA failed to cooperate with ship owners under Bashir Jamoh administration as Director General.
He also expressed optimism that the new DG of NIMASA would work closely with ship owners adding that cabotage laws would provide jobs for Nigerians .
The President called on ship owners irrespective of the various groups to speak with a single voice and discourage foreign dominance in the nation’s territorial waters.
“It is in unity that we can achieve this struggle which is long overdue, because as we speak some ship owners are no longer in business because of the poor implementation of the cabotage laws “, Adewumi noted.
