Nigerian maritime stakeholders are uncomfortable with the estimated $6.16 billion paid by importers to foreign shipping companies as freight charges annually.
They are also miffed by the fact that over 20,000 local and offshores have been lost in the last few years following the Federal Government inability to float a viable national carrier.
According to a maritime expert, Mr Ismaila Aniemu, former head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) handed over 19 ocean-going ships to Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s government in 1979 met only two vessels when he returned to government in 1999, 20 years after. Even the remaining two vessels, MV Trainer disappeared from the waters.
Aniemu condemned the attitude of Nigerians towards maritime policy, saying that Nigeria is the largest exporter of oil and there is no Nigerian ship owned by the government that carries the commodity. He said that the nation is the largest importer in the west and central African region which accounts for over 65 per cent income, regretting that there is no ship to freight the cargoes.
“Former head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), in 1979 handed over 19 ships to Alhaji Shehu Shagari Government. As at 1999 when he returned, 20 years after, the whole ships had been sold except one—-MV Trainer. MV Trainer was on our waters for sometime before it disappeared. You see, Nigeria owning a shipping line is not the problem. Can you maintain it? If we cannot change our attitude towards our maritime policy, even if we establish a shipping line with 500 ships, they will go the same way. Everybody that comes to government wants to rape Nigeria and go. That is what has brought us to this level. We are supposed to be a leading maritime economy in Africa. We are the largest exporter of oil and we have no Nigerian ship owned by our government that carries these oil. We are the largest importer in the west and central African region where we account for over 65 per cent income coming into the region and we have no ship” he regretted.
On job loss, Aniemu stated that over 20,000 jobs have been lost in the sector as a result of the absence of a national fleet.
“I can boldly tell you that we have lost over 20,000 employments, quality and world-class employment because when the national shipping line was operating it had offices outside Nigeria and Nigerians were working there. That Development House you see in Apapa that is abandoned today, was occupied by Nigerian National Shipping Line. Foods were going out of Nigeria; groundnut was going out of Nigeria. So many things were leaving this country and jobs were being created not just for the farmer. But today look at the fanfare and celebration that trailed the exportation of yam. That is to show you how low we fell” he lamented. (The Sun)
