By Roland Ekama, Lagos
Seafarers have suggested to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) to concession the abandoned multi billion Naira modular floating dry dock to Nigerdock Nigeria PLC, in a bid to build capacity and generate revenue into the coffer of the federal government.
The floating dry dock which has spent close to nine months under naval custody , may have gulped millions of naira daily for maintenance cost without any form significant value to the maritime industry.
The seafarers stated that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) ,would resolve the under utilisation of the modular floating dock .
Speaking against the backdrop of the modular floating dry dock idleness and how the apex maritime regulatory agency could generate huge revenue , the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association proffered two options to the government.
National President of the Union, Engineer Matthew Alalade harped on the need for government to concession the dry dock to Niger dock PLC, saying it would harness revenue generation and to boost human and manpower development of maritime stakeholders.
Alalade lamented that the dry dock in naval custody is an asset that must be allowed to rot away when millions of Nigerians are jobless.
The seafarers boss reiterated that the modular floating dock has the capacity to employ thousands of unemployed youths adding that the equipment ,if transfered to Niger dock company would turn around the fortune of the maritime industry.
According to him, “Nigeria is losing millions of naira annually to foreign shipyards due to vessels constantly leaving the country to look for docking facilities in far away countries such as Togo and South Africa but I believe if we concede the dry dock to Niger dock then things will certainly take shape for the betterment of the industry.”
Secondly, the union boss stressed the need for NIMASA to temporarily transfer the facility to Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State for cadets to get firsthand knowledge about practical orientation.
He affirmed that the floating dock has what it takes to enable Nigerian cadets compete with their foreign counterparts if well managed.
Alalade added that cadets from MAN Oron would benefit from the government owned facility without additional cost to their educational prowess.
He further appealed to the government to effectively make use of the floating dock towards promoting Nigeria maritime potentials to the international community.
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