26 June 2015, Lagos – The Guild of Marine Surveyors of Nigeria has said that the government should create a conducive atmosphere to reduce losses in the sector.
The President of the body, Mr. Monday Ogadina, who noted that the country was losing billions of naira daily in the marine sector, said this during a press briefing on the guild’s upcoming induction and award event which was slated for the last quarter of the year in Lagos on Wednesday.
“We need a policy document from the government that will enable local surveyors to be more involved in operations in the marine sector. This will also create jobs for Nigerians when there are surveyors at every terminal and off shore,” he said.
The president lamented that Nigerian surveyors were not actively participating in the loading of crude oil from the source, adding that there was no law stating that that a surveyor had to be on board before offloading from the ship.
According to him, the essence of the local content law is to protect the country’s assets and help its citizens benefit from it.
The body also said that to reduce losses in the sector, the government should recognise and employ local marine surveyors before considering their foreign counterparts.
Local operators, it added, should be given a good atmosphere to operate without limitation.
It also said that the government should recognise and accept local operator’s views in marine business.
The body also said the government should ensure effective supervision of operators and stakeholders in the system and join in improving education in the system and enhance its contribution to the economy.
He said the guild is the umbrella body for registered marine surveyors, cargo superintendents and maritime consultants/experts in the country.
– Punch
