By Kenneth Jukpor
Nigeria’s maritime industry frailties were made bare during the recent lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic as port activities were brought to a standstill despite President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive that the ports remain operational.
The closure of banks, restriction of movement, lack of automated processes, among other issues led to an impasse that took days to resolve. While the challenges highlighted the crucial roles of various stakeholders in the industry, there are several lessons which should be learnt to see the nation to attain socio-economic development via the ports.
In a bid to explore these lessons and chart the headway for the sector, a crucial maritime virtual summit titled, “COVID-19 and the Nigerian Maritime Sector: Lessons and the Way Forward” was organized last week by Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN).
Besides enumerating the challenges the sector faced as a result of the pandemic, there were several worthwhile suggestions on the next level developments and possible initiatives for the port industry.
Port sector bigwigs such as the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Mr. Hassan Bello; the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman; Chairman, Maritime Trade Group, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Barr. (Mrs.) Margaret Orakwusi; Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Vicky Haastrup; Managing Director, Sea Transport Services, Mr. Aminu Umar; Chairman, Nigerian Ship Registry Reforms, Engr. Emmanuel Ilori; among others attended the conference.
The crux of the conference was centered on automation as a tool to enhance efficiency and expeditious port services.
While the Managing Director, Usman stressed the challenges where NPA officials were unable to board vessels as they felt that the duty does not require them to be save before they can board vessels for inspections; Aminu Umar revealed that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) had already started utilizing electronic platforms to inspect ships without going onboard.
Usman expressed optimism even as she opined that NPA would initiate plans to explore such automation.
She, however, expressed concerns on the presidential directive that vessels coming into Nigeria should be quarantined for 14 days as part of the measures to check the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Usman appealed for the reversal of the decision, adding that the ideal thing was for crew members to be quarantined and not ships.
Her words: “Some of the submissions that we have had from the Presidential Task Force around having vessels wait for 14 days from any country that has above 1,000 infections. We have been engaging with the PTF to lift that because almost every nation has passed these numbers. We cannot say vessels should stay for an additional 14 days. This is a big concern that has been ongoing with shipping companies. It is better for us to have those around the crew because the crew could be the ones that have any form of infection as it were, and ports health and NCDC have the necessary protocol applicable to that.”
“So in line with the IMO submission where it is clear that member states should ensure that vessels are given the necessary free passage into and out of ports, we all need to live into that and convince the Presidential Task Force and indeed convince all stakeholders that priority should be given for vessels to come in and out as required”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello reiterated the need for the nation to operate a paperless port characterized by efficiency and developed to support the nation’s export agenda.
Bello suggested the utilization of electronic bill of laden which would enable the ports transactions to be seamless and expeditious.
He also pointed out the need for the industry to strike the balance between continuous port operations and safety.
Bello argued that the nation’s seaports could operate 24 hours as was the case in the airports once adequate measures were put in place. He called for integration of all stakeholders in the sector, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NPA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NSC, importers, terminal operators, freight forwarders to achieve 24 hours ports service.
On the effects of the pandemic, Bello said; “Some of the challenges we experienced at the initial stage includes; banks not opening to provide financial services within the ports, lack of means of transportation within and outside the ports for essential services. There were so much negative impacts as big markets like the Onitsha, Aba markets were shut hence problems of where goods stuck at the ports would be moved to. Restriction on interstate movement was also another down time for businesses in the Port as goods were stuck in the ports leading to loss of huge resources for both shippers and owners”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Maritime Trade Group, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Barr. (Mrs.) Margaret Orakwusi noted that the pandemic reinforced the benefits of e-commerce.
She opined that the COVID-19 pandemic had also created new businesses and eliminated trade barriers.
According to her, the low impact of the pandemic in West Africa, especially in Nigeria could attract investors and significant Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
“We want port infrastructure available to meet global standards and efficiency. With the emerging African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) eliminating Customs duties to enhance regional trade, there will be numerous opportunities, including fishing,” she said.
She harped on the need to prioritize the diversification of the nation’s economy, stressing that it is high time the nation prioritizes national fleet as it could grow auxiliary services like banking and insurance.
Meanwhile, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) opined that expeditious hearing of maritime cases should be done via video conferencing so that maritime claims involving colossal sums are not delayed.
Noting that there was an increase in the fiscal burden and losses following COVID-19 pandemic which rendered the hearing of court cases, Igbokwe said, “There is a need to fast track the hearing of maritime cases. We can explore audio hearing and video conferencing for urgent maritime cases”
Aminu Umar lamented that it has been impossible to carry out the certification of ships because of the avoidance of human contact.
He stressed that one of the lessons from the pandemic should be the need to have national fleet and develop the supporting infrastructure such as ship repair yards.
“This should make us think as a nation. What if this pandemic was just in Nigeria and no vessel was willing to come into the country? What would we have done? It is high time we consider developing national fleet,” he said.
He maintained that every nation needs shipping capacity for survival, including ships, ship yards, human capacity development, viable port environment, among others.
Nigeria’s maritime sector has been touted as a veritable alternative for socio-economic progress and development. These suggestions can alter the trajectory of the nation, boost the economy, provide massive employment and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national development.
