PortNews at 30, 30 grand claps for Ihenacho, Afolabi, Shittu, others

By Wale Oni

PortNews Summit 2025 and Awards presentations came up at Rockview Hotel Apapa on Thursday the 6th of November. The Summit’s Lecture, Nigeria’s Shipping Carriage Gaps, CVFF and the Fading Manpower, was brilliantly tackled by Captain Ladi Olubowale, President of Association of African Shipowners.

He was assisted by Dr Eugene Nweke as Chief Analyst. Both argued and agreed that CVFF (Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund) disbursement is long overdue given the calamitous circumstances of the hundreds of recently trained cadets by NIMASA and the displaced and ageing Master Mariners of Nigeria’s faded glorious past. These otherwise very brilliant and knowledgeable seamen now lobby NIMASA and NPA for sponsorship of seminars and conferences where they reminisce about what might have been or fantasise about an imaginary future.

They lamented that Nigerians take responsibility for only ten percent of the 150 million tonnage tonnage cargo throughput which embarrassingly leaves the nation short changed by close to 9 billion dollars.

9 billion dollars? Yet nobody seems bothered but scream “Blue Economy” monotonously, boringly. It is time we woke up and took charge of destiny as a nation.

We would not be losing all of 9 billion dollars if the 700 billion dollars CVFF funds purportedly in the vault of NIMASA had been disbursed to genuine beneficiaries to acquire medium size coastal vessels.

Like an expert posited, since Cabotage itself is dependent on cargo from international sea carriage, why can’t Nigeria refloat a national shipping line and sign up clearly defined multi-lateral technical partnerships with foreign shipping lines. Yes, without Nigerian mother ships Nigerian Cabotage may flounder. Government must do a rethink, must come up with new strategies, new approaches on how the 700 billion dollars would be expended. This is the hour for critical thinking on maritime issues, on CVFF by the Federal Government.

The real Blue Economy we have lost in the multi billion dollars container business which we have surrendered to foreign concessionaires. Concession or leasing the ports to expatriates is not unwelcome but the sin is throwing the baby out with the bath water. The concession terms  were ridiculous, ugly,  one-sided, anti people, anti Nigeria and must be revisited and reviewed without delay. The Nigerian local content perspectives must be reworked. The original understanding that activities of the terminals must be transparent should be respected. Presently, port terminal operations are opaque. In fact, every public organization, including terminal operators, must follow the example of Nigeria Customs Service that reel out their daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly generated revenues.

The Chairman of the occasion, Captain Emmanuel lhenacho, and all distinguished speakers agreed that the CVFF is long over due to be disbursed to close the yawning carriage.

NIMASA was pointedly commended for keeping about 700 million dollars  intact for over twenty years. The Federal Government and NIMASA were commended for the vision and concept predicating CVFF. Many corporate bodies and individuals have been interviewed and passed fit for the fund, but nothing has happened. Many dates have been given when the fund would be allocated. Unfortunately, stakeholders and the generality of port users now take CVFF and it promoters with a pinch of salt.

As it is now, whereas NIMASA meant well floating the fund, but it has become a dangerously dangling albatross on its neck.

As agenda setter for a better society, PortNews pleads with the federal government to come clean with the CVFF and let us move on.

PortNews has survived for thirty years thanks to all stakeholders and well meaning port users in both the maritime and aviation sub sectors of the transportation industry. l will mention but a few of them.

Captain  Emmanuel lhenacho who taught me what is tramp shipping, Dr Boniface Anienonam for his brilliance and hospitality, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi for his kindness and generosity. I remember Chief Athanasius Egwim of Thasious, he became my elder and leader. Chief Benneth Anumudu was a live wire for PortNews for twenty years. Chief Dennis Okafor was ever financially and morally supportive. Chief Olumuyiwa Adepitan of Billy James took me as a younger brother. Prince Olayiwola Shittu was always supportive mentally and materially. Chief Steve Amadi was always willing to keep the paper afloat. Dr. Wale Afolabi remains a big inspiration for me till today. The late Sanni Shittu, a nice man, may his soul rest in peace. Chief Oye Ariyo and Prince Taye Oyeniyi were big motivators. Chief Peter Oge Obih remains a precious counselor. Chief Nwaukoni was very helpful. So also Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. Barrister Caleb Muoka remains a friend and pillar of support. So also is Prince Olusegun Oduntan. Chief Cyprian Nwankwo helped tremendously. The Joatelim duo still continue to stand with us. The kindness and empathy of Chief Famous Enearu is much appreciated.

Inevitably, we are grateful to the managements of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, and Greenview Development Nigeria Limited. They have been there for us.

Thirty claps for you all.