A former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye, on Monday said Nigeria is losing about $300 million yearly from berthing five degrees east on Nigerian waters.
Omotseye, who said this in Lagos on Monday, urged the Federal Government to look into the issue to enable Nigerian ports to be cheaper and attractive for port users.
According to him, the foreign ship owners have taken over all the maritime business, while the ship-owners ”are left with nothing”.
“Nigerian shippers should be allowed to take charge of their goods as soon as they arrive the country because this is what is applicable all over the world.
“All the foreign ship owners will not allow Nigerians to get near vessels as soon as they arrive the country, in spite of being the landlord of the ports.
“We want the government to assist Nigerian ship owners to be in charge because by so doing, they will create more employment for teaming youths.
“Nigeria will soon be competing with its foreign counterparts with the recent equipment government has provided for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which is presently having multiplier effect on their operations,” Omotseye said.
He commended NIMASA for the establishment of the National Seafarer Development Programme (NSDP), which had assisted in the training of some Nigerian youths to the level of Sea time training.
Omotseye, however, advised youth that were yet to obtain acquire sea time training not to relent, adding that Nigeria needs their services because most of the seafarers were ageing and there was the need for replacement.
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