NIMASA Has Killed Shipping Development in Nigeria—Jolapamo
Chief Isaac Jolapamo, Chairman Board of Trustees, NISA
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Chairman Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) Chief Isaac Jolapamo had knocked the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) saying that the agency has left shipping development worst than it used to be.
Jolapamo stated this at the Breakfast Meeting organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos on Thursday at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa.
The NISA Board Chairman observed that NIMASA as the apex maritime agency in Nigeria has lost focus, and has relegated it’s core function which is shipping development to the background. He noted that other frivolous matters have now taken the centre stage in NIMASA.
Jolapamo also criticized the Seafarers development program as it is being done by NIMASA, saying that, Nigeria is not doing the program the way other countries are doing it.
Speaking, he said “Today, the creation of NIMASA had left Shipping Development in Nigeria Worst than it used to be, most shipowners of the past today do not have anything to show.
“What NIMASA should be doing today is shipping development, but when you see what they are doing today, shipping development is number six at the bottom, meanwhile the ship is central if you are going to develop the maritime, until you perfect the centre before every other area can come into shape”
“We need to train Seafarers, we are doing it, but we are not doing it the best way that other people do it, this is why we are not getting results. Instead of us going forward, we are going backwards” Jolapamo lamented
Also speaking later in day during the commissioning of NISA new Secretariat in Apapa, Chief Jolapamo reiterated that the shipping sector is underdeveloped because the resources meant to develop is being wasted by government officials.
He said if the shipowners were allowed to have input into the running of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), shipping development will not be the sixth item on the agency’s agenda.
