The election of the Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA) earlier scheduled to hold October 15 has been postponed, SHIPS & PORTS DAILY can report.
Former Secretary and one of the presidential hopefuls of the association, Capt. Dada Labinjo confirmed the postponement in an email on Friday.
“I know that most of our members have shifted their appointments to enable them participate in the voting exercise earlier stated for Wednesday 15th October and that is why I have thought it wise as a matter of urgency to inform them all of the postponement. I regret any inconvenience the shift in the date may cause”, he stated.
Apart from Labinjo, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Temi Omatseye and Engr. Greg Ogbeifun are all vying for the association’s top job.
It is the first time the association, which used to be known as the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), will hold an election in its 11-year history.
It was however not clear as at press time if the debate for aspirants scheduled for today will hold as planned.
In a separate development, Labinjo has assured members who own single hull ships of continued stay in business beyond the 2015 deadline for phasing out such vessels. Speaking exclusively to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY in Lagos, Labinjo said he had plans to lessen the financial burdens of NISA members who may be affected by the phasing out.
Labinjo who boasted to be the most experienced of all the candidates contesting for the presidency said he had gone through the stages of being a thoroughbred professional.
“As President of NISA, I intend to do things that will not leave members in the cold when this policy is activated. We are already discussing with financial institutions to put money in place for us.
“We are also discussing with shipyards that will provide ships for some of our members whose vessels will be taken off the register so it will not be that they will be left unprotected. We have already perfected our strategy on that.
“The plan is that as your ship is getting out of Nigerian registry, you will get a new one. They won’t suffer, don’t forget I have been in the administration of Jolapamo for a long time and I know what the needs of our members are.
“We will do it in collaboration with NIMASA because there is nothing the association can do without NIMASA because NIMASA is the husband of NISA,” he stated.
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