By Uzor Odigbo
Exporters Coalition has expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of Emmanuel Jime as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’Council, predicting that port operations may suffer setbacks under the new Chief Executive Officer.
According to a report by Daily Focus, an online newspaper, the National Coordinator of the group, Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick, said the appointment of politicians to head maritime agencies would scuttle efforts so far put in place by the immediate past CEO, Barrister Hassan Bello.
According to him, the council has competent directors that can succeed Hassan Bello, the same way he (Bello) took over from Late Captain Adamu Biu.
Patrick who is the Chairman, Apapa Chapter, International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA) described the new Executive Secretary as a rubber stamp that is highly motivated by politics.
The Coordinator also urged the new CEO to start the training process which according to him, would take at least six months before grasping the technicality of the maritime industry.
While predicting setbacks in port operations, Patrick said Jime as the CEO of the council, would likely foot drag to understand how the sector operates adding that the maritime industry is highly technical to manage.
“I don’t want to join issues with the appointment of the new Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’Council . I don’t have any right to query the appointment of anybody to head the council but what am saying is that the way Hassan Bello handed the council in the last eight years , that way the federal government should look inward to appoint people from the cadre.
Bello succeeded because he is from the council , an insider. Government should have engage somebody from inside and not the other way round.
Bringing someone from outside requires counselling, advices, training and consultation and he will be like someone who just gained admission into higher institution.
“Government should stop appointing outsiders to head maritime agencies . Government should look inward and appoint directors to replace the CEO and not the other way round.
“I don’t believe in this appointment from the government. Believe it or not this appointment will lead to jeopardy in the port operations.
The government has missed the line this time around because the industry is highly technical.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Emmanuel-Lyambee Jime as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council.
Jime, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law, brings his wealth of experience to the new role having distinguished himself in several public offices.
He was at a time Managing Director at the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) and a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma Federal constituency between 2007 and 2015.
He was also Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly from 1992 to 1993.
“The appointment is for a renewable four-year tenure,’’ the statement maintained.