ICRC issues Certificate of Compliance for NIMASA Floating Dockyard

Signs undertaking for its viability and profitability

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has issued a Certificate of Compliance for Outline Business Case (OBC) for the operation of the Modular Floating Dockyard acquired by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Acting Director General of the Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, who led a team of ICRC officers to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos to present the certificate said NIMASA’s OBC for the Modular Floating Dockyard’s management contract to be operated, maintained, and transferred under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement was in compliance with the ICRC Act 2005 and the National Policy on Public Private Partnership.

A statement by NIMASA Assistant Director Public Relations, Edward Osagie quoted Ohiani as describing the Floating Dockyard as a profitable investment by government, noting that its deployment based on due diligence is a guarantee for its sustainability.

According to the statement, Ohiani said, “The project is bankable and sustainable. The Nigerian government will get value for money in the project.  The next step is to get the best concessionaire to provide the services and a full business case will be prepared and taken to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval”, adding:

“ICRC will continue to manage the process and we hope to conclude the entire process before the end of the year. We will also ensure that the concessionaire does not charge arbitrary fees when it becomes operational. It is a total package we are delivering to Nigerians and we seek their understanding and patience.”

Speaking while receiving the Certificate of Compliance, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the Modular Floating Dockyard was a national asset. He assured that the Agency was committed to the careful deployment of the dry dock in line with relevant regulatory instruments to ensure wealth and job creation, and revenue generation for the Federal Government.

He also said issues, such as security, accessibility, and existing complimentary infrastructure on ground, were considered in the development of a business case for the dockyard, which will be managed on a PPP basis with NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on the one hand, and a management company, on the other.

This is even as the Jamoh said the ICRC would closely monitor the entire implementation process to ensure equity, fairness, and profitability for the Federal Government.

He said, “It is one thing to have the Modular Dockyard, and another for it to enjoy patronage and be a profitable venture for government. So many funds have been invested in the project and it cannot serve just as a workshop for an institution of learning, as being inferred in some quarters.

“Detailed investigation has also confirmed that the dockyard cannot berth at an area earlier proposed for it. We got approval from our supervising ministry to deploy the asset on a PPP basis and we are working in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority. Our arrangement to utilise facilities at the Continental Shipyard in Apapa is still very much on course.”

He explained that the seeming delay in the deployment of the Floating Dockyard was informed by the desire to pay attention to details to ensure that due diligence, compliance and the eventual durability of the project when it becomes operational, are achieved.

“The floating dockyard is a national asset and we consulted the ICRC, which is the regulatory agency of government, to review the process of deployment to confirm that it is a worthwhile investment on a PPP arrangement, and today they have confirmed to us that we are on the right path,” Jamoh added.