The lack of Vessels and the resultant inability of the indigenous ships Operators to renew their fleet of outdated ship models, like single hull Vessels, which is being phased out globally, are the bane of the nation’s maritime industry.
This was the submission of the President of the Ships Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, Dr Mecgeorge Onyung in a chat with media men.
Dr. Onyung who expressed displeasure over the fact that, Nigeria as a maritime nation with a huge Marine potential which if well harnessed would have created hundred thousands of jobs for the teeming population of the youth across the Country, was lacking in Vessels acquisition.
The Ship Operator who listed the multiple benefits which could be accruable from the industry, said availability of indigenous Vessels would empower the Operators to compete with their foreign counterparts and create different opportunities along the value chain of various sectors within the industry.
The Shipping Magnet appealed to the Federal Government to look into the Cabotage Vessels Financing Funds, which was established for the use of indigenous ships Operators, who contributed to that pool of fund, with a view to lending from it, to acquire Vessels.
Efforts to disburse the fund to the expectant Contributors, by successive administrations have, over the years, been thwarted by cumbersome procedures and the usual bearucratic bottlenecks.
He said, now was the better time to look into the potential of the industry in the face of the dwindling oil revenue and shipping Operators, a helping hand, through a single digit loan facilities.
Dr Onyung called on Government to urgently consider disbursement of the funds to the short listed beneficiaries, so as to be able to plough back and renew their fleet for a leap in shipping operations in the Country and the resultant benefit, as a multiple foreign exchange earner for the Country.
Oladele Adekunle
