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Shippers in the cointry have lamented the absence of a national shipping flag carrier.
They said the reliance on foreign shipping lines had cost the shipping sector huge losses while clogging the clearing procedures at the ports.
A former Chairman of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, and Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Shipping Company, Greg Ogbeifun, said Nigeria had lost its place in the global industry. The shipping expert who who spoke in a virtual meeting heralding his birthday said Nigeria loses over $41m daily to other countries.
He said, “Nigeria used to be a very active player in the global shipping industry. The Federal Government owned the Nigerian National Shipping line in the ‘70s, 80s and early 90s. We had Africa Ocean lines and a few others.
President of SOAN, Greg Ogbeifun
The memory of the defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL), came to focus at a symposium organised in honour of the former Chairman of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), and CEO of Starzs Shipping Company, Greg Ogbeifun, turns 70 today.
At a virtual symposium, which focused on the possibility of building an indigenous global shipping fleet, experts explored the need to resuscitate the country’s national carrier to reduce capital flight following the death of the NNSL.
Ogbeifun recalled the heydays of the NNSL, saying Nigeria played an active role in the shipping business when the company was active. “Besides, the Nigerian shipping line, there were some private initiatives by individuals like Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, who flew the Genesis flag around the world and a few others,” he added.
Chris Paul
For not having a national shipping line of her own, Nigeria is losing over $15 billion annually, out of which $7billion accounts for freight services.
This was revealed by former President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria and Chairman of Starzs Shipping Company, Chief Greg Ogbeifun, in an interview with THISDAY.
According to him, this sum also includes the taxes Nigeria is losing by not employing Nigerians.
Ogbeifun recalled attempts by the current Minister of Transportation, Amaechi Rotimi to revive the process to bring back the national shipping Line.
âOne of the first things, the Minister transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, did when he became Minister was to form two Committees. One was to work on the establishment of a national fleet and the other to examine the structure of NIMASA,â he said.