‘Ship brokers excluded from national policy for marine, blue economy’

Dr. Chris Osoba Ebare is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Nigeria. In this interview with selected newsmen, he talks about ship brokerage, the controversial Coast Guard Bill and other sundry industry issues. Excerpts

You ended your tenure as the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers (ICS) Nigeria in 2024. Can you highlight some of your achievements?

I would say during my tenure as the Chairman of ICS Nigeria, a lot was achieved. First, we were able to increase our numbers from over 20 to close to 40 members in the country. We achieved this by encouraging more members and enlightening students in universities, including the Nigerian Law School, on why they should go into shipping and ship brokerage. Secondly, we encouraged our members to pay their annual dues through our collaboration with our West Africa branch. It was difficult for our members to open an account in Nigeria due to the UK regulations, but we eventually resolved that with the UK. Thirdly, we were able to expose the activities of the ICS during my time, which we weren’t able to do in the past. Also, for the first time, our presentation on positions was known to the maritime industry. We invited those who are responsible to make presentations, and the National Assembly even recognised us for the first time.

For the first time, the operating agency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) granted us audience. We educated them on why we should partner together. This collaboration led to NIMASA giving us a brief to review their law, particularly the International Convention, which was later sent to the National Assembly for amendment. Although we were not able to conclude this before the immediate past Director General, Bashir Jamoh finished his tenure, but it was a significant milestone.

Similarly, we had a collaborative training programme between ICS and the NPA, facilitated by the present Managing Director of the NPA. Most excitingly, at the 34th ‘Day of the Seafarer’ hosted by the Seafarers Committee, the current Emmanuel Jime, admitted during our courtesy visit that it was the first time ICS was receiving an ICS presentation since he resumed office. Our board is now full. We have ship brokers who are attending the ICS programme, who signed off after sea going and admitted that it’s a new world for them. Before now, many did not know that after working on ships, you could become a broker. ICS helps them transition from one area of the profession to another.

There has been a lot of controversy regarding the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill, which has been repeatedly rejected by the National Assembly. What’s your take on this?

It is very unfortunate. Even today in our democracy, we are in a learning process. We wobble and fumble. Nigeria is still in a learning process when it comes to democracy and governance. Even in advanced countries like the U.S., their Coast Guard System is not perfect. The National Assembly should understand that no country gets it right overnight. They should study the frameworks of established Coast Guard systems in countries like the US, Germany, and China and tailor them to our needs. They would have to look into the laws, which would have been able to assist NIMASA and the NPA, combined with the Navy, and let us at least have something in place. I think the Navy, as a body, has towed the national line. That is why the Navy was sent to the National Assembly.

There have been controversies as regards duplication of duties; that the Coast Guard may also take some of the duties of the Nigerian Navy. Do you share this view?

I don’t see any conflict in the roles. The reality is that there is a need for more synergy. As it is, we have not trained 100 percent of our cadets. Just like the Navy and the NPA complement each other, the Coast Guard and the Navy can complement their skills. There should be synergy between the Coast Guard and the Nigerian Navy. If the U.S. can operate both successfully, why can’t we? The National Assembly should rethink its stance and work towards making the Coast Guard a reality.

The government is currently working on a national policy for the Marine and Blue Economy sector. What are your thoughts on this?

Some of the maritime policies, I would say, are not inclusive. For example, the Nigerian Economic Council is currently formulating policies on the blue economy. But when you look at the committee or task force, you won’t find a shipbroker, or maritime lawyer, or any industry expert. These are the people who are supposed to formulate policies. We need to bring in foreign experts. Meanwhile, the UK or the U.S. can be consulted. I was recently told that the National Assembly once said, “Oh, we never knew you existed.” Nobody asked, “How many members of ICS do we have in Nigeria?” We have experts, including lawyers, economists, brokers, and surveyors.

In Norway, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Norway, and even the UAE, we have a well-established brokerage council. We’ve written several letters to the Nigerian Economic Council, but they don’t respond. So it’s like they formulate policies without including us.

When we talk about growth, we must be inclusive. It’s not just about politics. Let’s involve the professionals. You can’t formulate what you don’t know. The issue boils down to ignorance. How many members of ICS Nigeria have been invited to participate in policy formulation? The issue is that we’ve been seen as outsiders, and that’s the unfortunate part. The same people are recycled to serve on committees, even when they are not maritime professionals. We should create a database of experts that can be consulted to serve in various committees. This will ensure that people are assigned to the right place based on knowledge and expertise.