- Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), Director Legal/Board Secretary of Ghana Maritime Authority, Mrs. Patience Diaba, and NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Victor Ochei, during a study visit by the Ghana team to NIMASA in Lagos
By Anthony Nwachukwu
For a more successful domestication, the Ghanaian Maritime Authority (GMA) is currently on a 10-day understudy of the implementation of Nigeria’s Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage Law), in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Addressing the Ghanaian delegation, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the opportunity to share knowledge on cabotage implementation will not only enhance regional collaboration but also increase local participation in the regional maritime industry.
“As a regulatory and enforcement agency, we are committed to ensuring that our core mandates are accomplished in such a manner that will provoke economic development for Nigeria, while growing indigenous capacity in line with international best practices,” Jamoh said.
“Since the advent of the Cabotage Act in Nigeria, about 68 per cent of vessels trading within the country’s maritime space has become Nigeria-flagged.
“We have also made progress in the area of placement of Nigerian seafarers on board cabotage vessels, as well as building vessels from the keel, particularly smaller crafts.”
He further explained that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which was introduced to offer financial assistance to operators, is funded through a 2 per cent surcharge on the total contract sum performed by any vessel engaged in cabotage trade.
Meanwhile, he expressed hope that the amended Cabotage Act would be signed into law very soon, stating that though it was signed into law in 2003, the reality on ground after two decades of implementation makes it clear that it requires amendment.
To that end, “the Nigerian National Assembly has made tremendous progress towards having the revised Cabotage Bill assented to by Mr. President.”
On her part, the Director, Legal/Board Secretary of GMA, Mrs. Patience Diaba, said she was delighted at the opportunity to learn from the Nigerian experience in its implementation of the cabotage law.
According to her, Ghana is privileged to have an opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s experience, and the valuable insights would ensure the country avoids the pitfalls and challenges that plagued Nigeria at the initial stage.
“We appreciate the time and efforts of the NIMASA team who will be sharing their insights and expertise with us over the next few days,” she said. “We look forward to a fruitful discussion and site visits, especially the visit to Port Harcourt and other activities that have been planned for us.
“We are confident that our time will be rewarding and we will return to Ghana better informed and equipped to implement the cabotage regime in our nation. We are excited to begin this 10-day study tour.”
Earlier, the NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Victor Ochei, had disclosed that Nigeria’s cabotage achievements did not come without pitfalls and struggles that were surmounted through consistency.
“Our achievements, processes, knowledge acquired and experience are what we will be sharing with you within this short period of time,” Ochei said. “You will be gaining this set of skills without the inclusion of the pitfalls we had to learn from to attain our current level.
“In the course of this understudy, we intend to chronologically take you on a historical sojourn and enlighten you on our famous ‘4 Pillars of Cabotage.’ We shall put you through the enabling legislations and instruments that empower us to operate, as well as our enforcement procedures, among others.”
