The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to partner with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to refloat a national shipping line.
Upon formation, the partnership will collaborate with the private sector to revive the National Unity Line.
NIMASA director general Dr Dakuku Peterside said that the agency needs to take a common position with BPE in realising the privatisation mandate, so as to carry out the revival.
The mandate will be forwarded to Nigeria’s National Council on Privatisation as the strategic way for the handling of National Unity Line.
Peterside said: “The emphasis of the Federal Ministry of Transportation is to drive a process where we will refloat the National Fleet, this time with the core investors that will own 49% of the shares, whereas, Nigerian Ship Owners will own 51% of the shares of the firm and the firm will also be given the National Career Status.
“We are looking at different models, hence the importance of this engagement, so that we can review what has happened over time and choose the best model.”
Peterside also noted that Nigeria Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has already started a process, where people from the private sector will pull resources together to float a national vessel fleet.
Development of the fleet will be facilitated by the Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA.
The Ministry has also appointed a National Fleet Implementation Committee, headed by Nigerian Shippers’ Council executive secretary Barrister Hassan Bello, who is working with NIMASA.
