Distinguish Maritime Personalities, DMPs, who recently converged at Rockview Hotel Apapa to discuss issues and challenges affecting seamless port and transport operations in Nigeria identified lack of collaboration among government agencies as one of the major setbacks in achieving set goals and objectives in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Speaker after speaker at the National Discourse themed “The place of maritime and transport in the economy of Nations- the Nigerian experience” agreed that there is need for regular engagements and review of operations by agencies to identify gaps, close them and work together to achieve the national economic objectives of the federal government.

The DMPs therefore commended the organizers of the National Discourse, Data Resources Ltd, publishers of Newsgate, Maritime Insider, Maritime Nigeria-online @ www.maritimenig.com for the initiative and objectivity of the programme.

DMPs at the National Discourse; L/R: Capt Tajudeen Alao, Assistant Comptroller I.K Adamu, representing Controller Malanta Yusuf of the Apapa Customs Command. MD NPA, represented by Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, ACG. Charles Edike (rtd), Mr. Kelvin Kagbare (convener), Mr. Charles Okorefe (Academician and maritime consultant, Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, represented by barrister Jimi Ojo at the National Discourse held in Lagos.

Chairman of the National Discourse, ACG, Eporwei Charles Edike in his opening remarks charged maritime stakeholders not to shy away from engagements such as this.

“It is by talking, suggesting and making observations that change is brought to bear. Wherever we find ourselves, in or out of service, we must continue to talk, talk and talk and keep our conscience clean and clear. Any attitude of it does not concern me must be avoided”, the renowned Customs Chief said

Speaking at the Managing Director of the Nigerian ports authority, NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, a Distinguished Maritime Personality, DMP, who was very ably represented by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, LPC,  Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, reassured maritime stakeholders that NPA is determined and very committed to ensuring efficient port operations in Nigeria.

Port Manager, Apapa Port Complex, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu receives the Symbolic Plaque of Honour on behalf of the MD NPA Mr. Mohammed Bello-koko at the event.

On efforts at Rail linkage to the ports and apprehension in some quarters that Rail connectivity and Barge operations could liquidate truck owners and operators and send them out of business, Mohammed Bello-Koko said “No matter how sophisticated and efficient Rail or Barge operations become, there will always have a terminal point where other modes of transport takes over the transportation of cargo to the point of processing”.

A cross section of dignitaries at the National Discourse.

“For instance no barge or train can take cargo to the factory where it would be processed unless such factory is located by the side of a river. Barges can only move cargo to the nearest point to factory for onward movement by trucks to factories for processing”

“Invariably, all modes of transport are complementary and must be sustained and managed efficiently for the sustainability of the efficiency we seek in transportation of goods and persons in our country” the MD said.

Addressing concerns on the increasing number of tank farms in Apapa and the danger they portend, the MD clarified that Petroleum Tank Farms are neither approved nor authorized by the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“It is the department of Petroleum Resources, DPR,  that gives approval” the MD clarified.

ACG. Charles Edike (rtd) with his Symbolic Plaque of Honour, flanked by other DMPs at the National Discourse held in Lagos.

Responding to concerns expressed by participant at the first edition of the DMPs National Discourse on traffic gridlock within Apapa, Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko emphasized that port access roads are not under the purview of NPA.

“However, as a responsible Agency of government our intervention is to ensure that port operations are not held down because of transport of cargoes to and from the Port the MD said.

For greater progress to be made the NPA Managing Director was emphatic “We must ensure that port development decisions are governed by economics and not politics. We must talk with one another and avoid the unnecessary inter-agency rivalry;  we must see ourselves as complementing each other and avoid confrontations” Bello-Koko said

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN,  is among maritime and transport stakeholders, recognized and inducted (with a symbolic Plaque of Honour) as a Distinguished Maritime Personality, DMP, at this year’s National Discourse.

Addressing Issues and Challenges affecting maritime operations in Nigeria, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria asserted: “As a maritime nation, Nigeria is yet to take its rightful place in the comity of maritime nations. This is because the nation’s inland and international shipping business is presently dominated by both foreign-owned and crewed ships, leaving very little to Nigerian-owned vessels and seafarers, despite the existence of Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act as well as Local Content Act”.

“These acts were enacted with the aim of restricting the use of foreign vessels to trade in and out of Nigeria, and promote the development of indigenous tonnage for the purpose of job creation”.

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, listed several challenges affecting sea port operations in Nigeria.

According to the revered SAN, “The bane of port operation in Nigeria has often been associated with delay in cargo handling, which often leads to congestion, spoilage and economic losses. Nigeria, mainly an importing nation, rely more on cargo going through this port for an economic transaction and international trade exchange”.

“The issue of poor data base for activities going on in the ports is another problem. Computerization of port operations data is poor. Other challenges include, port congestions, high container dwell time, high turnaround time of vessels and trucks, inadequate ports facilities (berths) affect operations in Nigerian ports”.

“Shippers tend to call at ports with no or less congestion issue and up-to-date cargo handling equipment or standard port facilities”.

Anishere concluded by insisting that “It is imperative that maritime/seaport operations constitute the hallmark of key maritime activities carried out in our ports, for optimal economic growth”.

Interestingly, all DMPs listed for the maiden National Discourse participated actively in addressing issues and challenges affecting Maritime and Transport development in Nigeria:

Greg Ogbeifun “Nigeria needs to do more if she is to succeed as a maritime nation. Out policies must be well thought out and implemented with keener focus on achieving national goals and aspirations rather personal puuting personal interests first”

Capt, Warredi Enisuoh “Notwithstanding my inability to be physically present,  because of pressing, very urgent national assignment at the moment, the program is  timely and a welcomed one. The objectives are aligned with national ideals as its objectives seek to further amplify issues, come up with solutions and thereby contribute to nation building.

The DMPs Set of 2022 include Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Hon. Emmanuel Jime,  ACG Charles Edike (rtd), Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Compt Yusuf Malata,  Compt. Kunle Oloyede and Dr.  Emeka Akabogu.

Others are  Cdre. DujaEffedua,  Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Dr. Bayero Salih-Farah,  Barr. Jean Anishere (SAN), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Mohammed Bello-Koko as well as Barr. Victor Ochei, Barr. Chuddi Offodile,  and  Shehu Ahmed.

Historically, all DMPs received a Symbolic Plaque of Honour for their commitment to and passion for maritime development in Nigeria even as stakeholders look forward eagerly to the next set of DMPs and topic for National Discourse.