Of the Maritime Day and Related Matters

Lekan Fatodu

It is no surprise that some agencies of governments, turning away from the easy-money-generating, unproductivity inspiring and corruption-replete oil activities, are beginning to search for solutions to the underdevelopment that has come to define their sectors.

A recent photograph showing the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Dakuku Peterside and the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Kitack Lim, during a visit by the Nigerian officials to the headquarters of IMO in London, is very indicative of these fundamental pursuits.

In fact, it is quite disturbing that a critical government agency like NIMASA with all the wherewithal and capacity to cushion the devastating impact of the current federal revenue shortfall and economic downturn through massive income generation for government adorns the label of incompetence and brazen corruption as seen in recent times.

Though the appointment of Dakuku as the new honcho of the nation’s maritime regulatory agency has been described by many industry stakeholders as fitting and thoughtful, his navigation of the agency’s checkered past and ability to position it on the path of glory certainly is a better validation of the stakeholders’ assertion.

Of course, it is clearly not going to be a regular swim in a pool for the new head of the maritime agency.

Presumably, he is fully aware that he has just been put in the middle of a big sea with a lot of people, especially industry players who are equally concerned about the greatness of Nigeria, looking up to him for direction that will guarantee safety in the sector, and lead to a desirable destination of profitability, creativity, advancement and benefits for all.

Expectedly, there are also individuals who are ambivalent about his navigational skills behind the wheel of the accountability and reputation-challenged behemoth like the NIMASA. As it were, only a sustained demonstration of commitment in addressing many of these difficulties in ways that are proven and easily comprehensible by the wider public can calm the nerves of the ambivalent ones. And that is very much awaited.

After all the famous American civil rights activists and reformer, Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

And this measure of fortitude should be gleaned through every turn and corner that the new management at the maritime agency takes.

For an average observer, the strategic visit to the IMO headquarters can only mean one thing: a conventional courtesy call. Whereas further digs have shown that, through the call at IMO, the Nigerian maritime industry is effectively re-working its firm position of authority and recognition on the global platform of maritime actions and endeavours. Bringing the visit to public knowledge, particularly the understanding of the players in the sector will help in stimulating interest and re-building operators’ and investors’ confidence in the dawn of a new era in the Nigerian maritime industry.

And indeed, of particular concern to the operators and potential investors are Nigeria’s compliance to IMO’s instruments to implement and maintain the highest standards in areas of maritime safety, prevention of marine pollution, shipping navigation and trade, general global best practices and response to domestic/territorial safety issues.

Therefore, as Nigeria inches to re-aligning its maritime industry’s framework to the overall objectives of the foremost international body on maritime affairs, the maritime day of 2016 offers a fantastic opportunity for the country to churn out the mileage so far covered under this new administration while highlighting its vision for the future.

The world Maritime Day is a globally recognised day set out for the celebration of the international maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping. The day is always marked on the last week of September. And the 2016 celebration has been set for 29th September 2016.

The theme for this year, as prepared by IMO, is “Shipping: Indispensable to the world”. And on the strength of this persuasive title the secretary general of the world’s maritime organisation, Kitack Lim, has spoken to all its member-states, including Nigeria, about the need to double up efforts by “developing maritime trade, improving port infrastructure and efficiency, and promoting seafaring as a career – especially within the developing world. IMO’s work makes a strong contribution in all of these areas.”

Currently, Nigeria has over 2,600 cadets who have benefited from training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) but with little or no actual on-the-job experience. And those said to have qualified, as seafarers have not acquired any sea time training, which makes them unsuitable for real professional services on the sea.

This is obviously an aspect where NIMASA needs to deploy its problem-solving method with a view to tapping from the potential of the individuals who have been trained through the government’s institution and are eager to put their expertise to work and to create value in the sector. Otherwise the country will just continue to expend resources on nothing, and further lay the ground for mediocrity in the critical maritime sector.

Understandably, Dakuku has reiterated his resolution to addressing the matter with all his know-how. He has also talked about his determination to review the agency’s maritime security strategy to enhance its capacity to combat piracy and illegal activities on Nigerian waters. To achieve this, he said he would be collaborating with the top security agencies.

Hopefully, these planned actions will be well articulated soon, and the approaches to be taken for its achievement will be brought to the knowledge of all stakeholders and the general public. Those should dominate discussions as Nigeria takes part in the celebration of the Maritime Day come September.

And just as Kitack Lim of IMO said, “This is a message that needs, and deserves, a wider audience”, and trustingly, Nigeria will not be left out of the viable and forward-looking direction.