Shittu Makes NISA’s Reconciliation Committee

…As Group Charts New Course For Shipowners

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Determined to meaningfully impact theNigerian maritime industry, particularly to enhance its shipping business, the Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA) has resolved to chart a new course for itself and all its members, as it has taken the bold step to reunite in order to bring estranged members and everyone else, onboard.

Realizing there is strength in unity, NISA at its general meeting last Thursday in Lagos set up a six-man reconciliation committee to bring back to the fold some aggrieved members who had left the association.

To make the reconciliatory effort a success, a respected maritime player adjudged with high level integrity who was a former National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu has been nominated to participate in the reconciliation process.

Prince Shittu is expected to work with the committee chairman, Mr. Akin Akinyemi and four members of the association regarded as neutral in the event that led to some members leaving the association.

According to an impeccable source, the other committee members include Engr. Emmanuel Ilori, Capt. Adewale Ishola, Barr. Paul Omolodun and Mr. Edmund Martins.

The committee has 20 days to do its work as it is expected to submit its report on November 10, 2022.

Earlier, the association’s Steering Committee had read its report to the house.

Chairman of the Steering Committee, Prince (Sir) Sonny Omatseye, after narrating actions taken on its terms of reference, stated that the committee was able to secure the commitment and assurances of cooperation by the federal maritime agencies at any time NISA Shipping Line comes on stream.

He however, said that the committee failed to secure the Federal Government position on CVFF release to ship owners.

Omatseye said that the committee has completely revised the mission, vision and business focus of the association, noting that the new documented framework would be posted to members in due course.

While the committee is believed to have recommended the holding of elections to elect NISA executives, there are indications that the committee is still waiting the report of assets and funds of NISA/NIMAREX from the chairman of the last expo.

Other issues discussed by the steering committee include the modalities and establishment of the $500 million floating fund for financing of assets, believed to have been inconclusive.

In his speech, Chairman Board of Trustees, Chief Isaac Jolapamo charged members to see the duty of keeping NISA one as a task that must be done by every member of the association.

Jolapamo said that it is only in Nigeria that you have two or three shipowners associations, adding that government is benefitting from the division by its divide and rule tactics.

He disclosed that he had written to the Minister of Transport as well as the Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to account for how much has been collected so far for the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

The BOT chairman added that in the next couple of weeks, he would be heading to the court on the need to account for the CVFF.

He enjoined members to take the bull by the horns to ensure that shipowners take their place of pride in the maritime subsector.