Bello Advocates for National Incentives to Encourage Indigenous Fleet Development

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*Says Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee discussing zero import duty on vessels, support fund, others
*As League of Maritime Editors demands 10% of CVFF for media capacity building
By Francis Ugwoke
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr Hassan Bello, Thursday advocated for a deliberate government policy that will provide national incentives to encourage indigenous fleet development in the nation’s shipping industry.
Bello said such incentives shall be institutionalized to avoid political influence and made reliable for investors’ trust.
Speaking on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary Lecture/ Awards and Patrons’ Investiture ceremony under the theme, “Indigenous Fleet Development, What Options?”, Bello identified the incentives as “comparatively simple but reliable ship registration procedure” which is efficient and full of integrity.
Other incentives he advocated include, “a very strong safety administration system and procedures in support and protection of the registered ships, a systematic approach to the establishment of merchant shipping security and administration that provide confidence in shipping trade and understanding of the international shipping community;
Establish a reliable statistical data for the manning of flag ships and well coordinated training, examination and certification of seafarer in Nigeria; strategic plan and implementation procedures to ensure availability of cargo for interested indigenes; concern for ships’ repair and husbandry; reasonable protectionism for national fleet in operational procedures even when such requirements are not statutory or institutionalized; reliable communications and assistance to fleet; all entities concerning the carriage of national cargo should develop common interest on the sustainable success of the policy.
Bello argued that such enabling environment of national incentives will go a long way in fostering growth and development of the indigenous fleet in Nigeria.
Bello disclosed that the Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee which he chairs has so far identified zero import duty on vessels, tonnage tax as among the incentives necessary for the growth of indigenous fleet.
He said the Committee is currently discussing the need to abolish temporary importation permit, shipping sector support fund of about -2%per annum/9%, waiver of export tariff for use of Nigerian vessels and right of first refusal for National Carriers in the procurement process for cargo.
Bello also said the Committee is discussing the issuance of work permit only upon verification of unavailability of ratings or officers, change of Nigeria’s crude oil policy, CAC to adopt FIRS’s zero duty for ship finance registration and preferential berthing privileges.
He further disclosed that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has so far expressed delight at the prospect of the country trying to find ways to return to international shipping and has directed the NFIC and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) to review the proposal and work out the details of incentives stating a holistic and credible approach to address the issues and represent for consideration and approval.
With the directive from the VP, Bello said the Committee has held meetings with the NIPC to work out the modalities for the granting and implementation of incentives to achieve the development and sustainability of the national fleet.
He said the Vice President equally charged his Committee to identify partnerships, benefits and the role of the private sector in achieving the Nigerian fleet project.
Chairman of the occasion, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho described the incentives being sought by the National Fleet Implementation Committee headed by Bello as what will turn around the nation’s shipping industry.
Commending Bello for the depth of knowledge in his paper as it covered a series of options available in indigenous fleet development however warned against government appointing the Chief Executive Officer (CEP) in the case of public private partnership (PPP) leading to establishment of a fleet company because of the experience of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).
Meanwhile, the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers, has also called on the federal government to set aside 10 percent of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) for capacity building in the nation’s maritime media industry.
President of the League, Mr Kingsley Anaroke in his welcome address on the occasion of seminar said this has become necessary as the maritime media, mainly publishers share the fate being suffered by the Nigerian indigenous ship owners.
He said while the ship owners were currently suffering as a result of lack of funds to acquire fleet, the maritime media publishers have been faced with capacity development issues, including the resources needed for investigative and developmental journalism.
According to him, so much is needed in undertaking research, adding that the situation is worsened by lack of patronage by the agencies of government in the sector.
Anaroke said that this is even worrisome since maritime media is inundated with series of press releases being churned out by the agencies and which are published.
He said, “The point being made here is that maritime media publishers are critical stakeholders in the sector and should be treated as such. With about 65 Magazines, newspapers and online independent publishers in the sector, they have a combined workforce of over 255 members of staff with almost zero advert patronage on the average monthly from the maritime agencies and operators yet they have been adjudged as the most active in Africa.
“At this juncture, the League on behalf of the entire maritime media publishers, is calling on all the maritime and port regulatory agencies and private sector operators to avail us the needed support while we call on the federal government to enhance maritime journalism with 10 percent of the CVFF. This can be expressed within the framework of capacity building and local content legislations”.
Part of the highlights of the occasion was the swearing-in ceremony of the executive members of League led by Anaroke.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) , Sifax Group and Comet Shipping received corporate awards from the League for their contributions in the industry.
While the NPA received a Corporate Award for Transparency and Infrastructural Development in Nigerian ports, the NSC was honoured for Port Economic Regulations in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Sifax Group received award for Outstanding Indigenous Terminal Operator in Nigeria, while Comet was honoured for excellent shipping services.
The founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGaff), Chief Boniface Aniebonam and the former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA) , Prince Olayiwola Shittu was also honoured with awards.
Aniebonam received the award for Promotion of Capacity Building in Freight Forwarding Industry in Nigeria while Shittu was honoured for Innovation in Customs Brokerage in Nigeria.