Following the commencement of issuance of new certificates of ship registration and phase-out of the old permits by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), findings have revealed that the move has put an end to the seven-man committee on ship registry reform which was constituted by former Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside and headed by Mr Emmanuel Ilori.
In 2019, NIMASA had constituted a seven-man committee to upgrade its Ship Registry to meet international certification standards and compete favourably in the global maritime space.
However, in a swift move at the weekend, NIMASA DG, Bashir Jamoh announced the commencement of issuance of new certificates of ship registration while simultaneously phasing out the old permits. This, the NIMASA DG said is in a bid to ensure the utilisation of secured statutory certificates and prevent the entry of unseaworthy and sub-standard ships into the Nigerian flag.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively shortly after news broke out of the new ship registry reforms by NIMASA, the Chairman of the now-dormant Ship Registry Committee, Emmanuel Ilori, wondered why the agency was implementing recommendations submitted by his committee despite the fact that the incumbent NIMASA DG had refused to meet with them.
According to Engineer Ilori, “We finished the ship registry reforms and submitted our report and recommendations to the former DG, Dakuku Peterside. The man was happy, and formed an implementation committee made up of our committee.
“We were to implement three major aspects of the ship registry with the major classification societies; namely Lloyds Register, ABS, DNVGL,, NLNG and NCDMB.
“We were given mandate to ensure Nigeria’s ship registration is business friendly, have technical integrity, and is globally acceptable. We would have delivered on the three major aspects, but the DG is yet to meet with us; yet he has been implementing our recommendations.
“We have served and it’s up to NIMASA to implement. I am pleased that the DG has taken action on the ship registry reforms. He doesn’t have to do that through our committee. It is his prerogative to act as he deems fit. It is the industry and the nation that benefit from such actions.”
Recall that NIMASA, in a statement quoting Bashir Jamoh, had stated that, “We are committed to ensuring that our Ship Registry remains of International Standard and this is why we have enhanced our certificates with more security features that would stand the test of time. The all-encompassing process of issuance will ensure robust screening of vessels that would visit our waters.
The new regulation, which takes effect from July 1, involves the Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel, Fishing Boat and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessel, among others. The Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel; and Foreign Owned Vessels are also affected.
Others are Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Joint Venture Owned Vessel, Deletion Certificate, Bill of Sale and Transcript of Registry. The Certificate of Mortgage to Secure Account Current and Certificate of Freedom of Encumbrance have also been changed.
“All existing certificates issued by the Registrar of Ships before the commencement of the new regulation remain valid and should be carried on board vessels until their expiration. But vessel owners or Masters may apply for the reissuance of their existing certificates,” the statement added.
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