LOME Tasks President Ahmed Tinubu On CVFF Disbursement To Indigenous Shipowners

By Chinonye Anyatonwu

THE DIRECTOR OF PRESS, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY, MR. OLUJIMI PRESENTING lEAGUE’S AWARD TO THE AREA CONTROLLER OF THE TIN CAN CUSTOMS COMMAND, COMPTROLLER DERA NNADI ‘MNI‘ The League of Maritime Editors (LOME) has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to encourage the immediate disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to deserving indigenous shipowners and other allied shipping practitioners. The President of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME), Chief Timothy Okorocha, made this call on Thursday on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of LOME, held in Ikeja, Lagos. According to Chief Okorocha, , the CVFF was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, with the aim of providing financial assistance to Nigerian operators in the domestic coastal shipping business.

He observed that NIMASA’s efforts at ensuring the disbursement of the CVFF would get the desired result with a positive push from Mr President. “The League further urges President Tinubu to provide the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola and his ministry, the needed impetus to bring to an end, the unending rat race of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF, established since 2003; to jump start a new lease of life for the capacity development of our indigenous ship-owners, and to enable Nigeria participate meaningfully in our seaborne trade; especially with the proposed commencement of the implementation policy of the blue economy. “As insiders, the League over the years had seen the genuine struggle by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and its leadership, especially under the present administration to disburse the CVFF in its commitment to grow local capacity building, but observe the otherwise disruptive tendencies within the field of political play. “We appeal to Mr. President to use his good offices to prevail on the relevant authorities to respond to the needs of our industry as there can be no better time than now,” the LOME President said. The maritime editors’ body also sought more focussed approach by the president through the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in engaging with the industry stakeholders to ensure significant growth in the industry. “The League salutes Mr. President’s bold steps and visionary outlook, and do hereby with utmost respect urge him to exercise the required political will to push farther by ensuring that the oft routine talk about the rehabilitation of collapsed critical port infrastructure receives urgent executive attention.

“As development partners, the League looks forward to the effective participation of the respective agencies in the current administration’s renewed agenda template; and want to see the Nigerian Ports Authority move away from the ritual of endless talk and lamentations into doing the needful, the reconstruction of broken down asset and infrastructure. “Standing on both sides of the divide, we want to respectfully inform you that industry stakeholders and Nigerians at large look up to you to be more of a doer than a sayer; a path your predecessor vigorously explored during his short but eventful stint to the joy of port users. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, indulge me to emphasize that the League is the body of senior and very seasoned maritime journalists, and stands as a bridge in partnership development, sensitive to the collective task of nation building”. In his remark, the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, assured that his Ministry was determined to ensure transformation in the marine and blue economy sector. The Minister who was represented on the occasion by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Olujimi Oyetomi, said that in view of this, he has since set up machinery and structures to ensure that the potentials of the sector were realized. He pledged his commitment to realistic suggestions and other workings for the industry benefit, as head of the leading policy making body for the sector. In his words: “I must admit that my Ministry has been enjoying a symbiotic relationship with the Maritime Editors with agenda-setting for the maritime sector of which my Ministry is the leading Policy making body. I wish to add that most of the suggestions of the Maritime Editors were received in good faith by the Management of the Ministry of which I am a principal figure. Still speaking, “Even though I am a pioneer minister specifically for the Sector, I have set up machinery and structures for the Sector and made all principal actors and agencies irrevocably key into realizing the potential of the sector for job creation, social development, increased contributions to national growth and economic development. “Your suggestions and recommendations, whenever you evaluate the industry, at the policy-making level, sometimes we receive your suggestions from critical perspectives. However, we do not fail to distil and apply the best of your suggestions, thus leading to plausible progress in policy application in the maritime sector. It is therefore no surprise today that we are collectively witnessing the progress which we are seeing today, in the sector.”

MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE HERE BREAKING THE ANNIVERSARY CAKE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PRESS, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY, MR. OLUJIMI IN ROYAL BLUE APPAREL Oyetola urged the League to be patriotic and realistic in its agenda-setting duty, to ensure it covers not only policy-making level, but also for the agencies. “I submit that the partnership between the League of Maritime Editors and my Ministry is such that we will cherish and wish to nurture it to an all-time high as much as time, resources and other policy determinants will allow us,” the Minister said