By Jennifer Y Omiloli
Marine Club of Nigeria (MCN) has encouraged the Federal Government to delegate just technocrats to head Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the marine sector.
The President of the club, Dr. Chinedu Jideofo decided in an announcement issued on Monday and made accessible to newsmen.
He underlined the significance of naming capable individuals who have the capacity to supervise the issues of the nation’s marine industry.
Jideofo who brought up that the marine sector possesses a basic position in animating the nation’s economy, requested that just equipped and energetic people be delegated to head MDAs in the area.
As indicated by him, the area had been treated as an angling ground for any and all individuals.
“The Nigerian maritime economy was in the past treated merely as a fishing ground for all comers, persons whose only interest was to take but not give to the maritime economy and, by extension, the Nigerian economy.
“They heard there is money and much global travels in ministries, agencies and departments of the maritime economy and they lobbied to get appointments without any thought of their competency to add value to offices they lobbied for,’’ Jideofo said.
He included that the timeframe heads of organizations use to find out about their workplaces baffle experts in the part.
“On getting appointed, they waste two or four years junketing aimlessly and claiming to learn about their new offices.
“By so doing, they are frustrating practitioners in the sector who had needed competent administrators, regulators, legislators and adjudicators,’’ Jideofo said.
He said that naming technocrats to head the marine sector would prompt foundation of facilitated commerce zone in every one of the states in the nation.
Jideofo included that it would encourage quick and full execution of all Nigerian-content laws and approaches in Nigeria.
“Vessel turnaround time in Nigeria’s seaports will be 48 hours or less and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will become the biggest tanker owner in Africa within four years.
“And all maritime disputes occurring in Nigeria will be handled in Nigeria speedily and competently by an admiralty regime of qualified maritime arbitrators and jurists,’’ he added.
