ABSTRACT
Maritime industry got the worst hit in terms of poor-quality funding, policy inconsistencies and lack of support from government. This is clear in the non –availability of a functional shipping policy in place to really checkmate the fraudulent sharp practices and vices that usually erupts within the confines of the system. This is because, the industry is one that promotes mediocrity and lack of technical and professional expertise, as that is a very key factor for not having a functional shipping policy. Against this background, this paper therefore examines labour challenges and the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria. The primary and secondary method of data collection was used in collection data for the study. Primary data were obtained through the use of questionnaires and interview while the secondary data were obtained through review of relevant literature. The population of the study comprises all staff of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety agency (NIMASA), Apapa, Lagos State, out of which a sample of hundred (100) staff were selected using Convenience sampling method. Simple percentage method and regression analysis were used in analyzing the data collected. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between government interference and the performance of the maritime industry. With respect to the findings arrived at, recommendations were made that strategy and professionalism is required to boost the leadership in these maritime agencies and the industry at large. It is very simple; the secret is to hire good people and set them free” to run their show.
Also, the study suggests that adequate fund should be made available by government and the management of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as at when due. This to a large extent will make them develop skills and confidence in the exercise of duties. This can be achieved by putting appropriate measures to prosecute corrupt officials and leaders who sometimes misuse funds reserved for manpower training.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Maritime Transportation Industry in Nigeria is that which is undeniably important to the economic growth of the nation. Its role can affect the economy positively or can also be a set back to the economy. The history, growth and progress of nations are closely interwoven with the degree of development of the maritime transport industry that can exist or already in existence. The Nigerian economy is classified as a mixed economy and the maritime industry of Nigeria is a Major sector of the Nigerian economy putting in consideration that the country’s status is a major oil producing and exporting country. Maritime trade has played a key role in Nigeria’s economic development. It accounts for about 95% of the vehicular means of Nigeria’s International Trade. The economic level, an adequate and efficient maritime transport system plays a vital role in the development of a country’s market especially the market of international trade by transforming local markets in to national, regional and international focus. This allows economies of great scale in areas that have promising comparative advantage with concomitant generation of huge employment opportunities. The maritime sector is capital intensive and thus requires huge amount of funding.
1.2 Problem of the study
The pivotal role of maritime transport in the socio-economic, transformational changes and political development of nations all over the world is very crucial and well recognized as the most cardinal factor for growth and development. As regards the creation of wealth and its attendant transformational and reform structural narratives which seems to anchor on revenue generation to obviously support developing nations’ economic systems of most African countries, Nigeria inclusive. This is because, fundamental operational functioning derivatives within the confines of the African States, therefore, is of paramount importance to the organization and creative man-power management of modern governments. This seems to reflect in the most recent studies of industrial growth and productivity which continues to pay careful attention to the immense contributions and importance of this critical cash-cow industry and vital sub-sector of the global economic system. The social needs for maritime-transport has to do with how it helps in solving human problems, especially with regard to operational-industry modalities, recreational transformational-- Linkages and business-transactional exchanges, as well as the movement of goods and services across African Continental borders within the operational confines of the law that has to do with fraudulent sharp practices, industry-- negative vices syndrome narratives and operational abuses that are second to none as the case may be, of which Nigeria cannot be insulated from it (Ndikom, 2015). This is because; the industry lacks the fundamental intellectual and knowledge-based skills of needed workforce that can obviously matching the ever increasing demanding tasks of the industry at Large. This very true because, the industry was left in the hands of un-skilled managers who does not seemed to understand the rudimentary functionality of the port system and the desired needs for this critical industry to have an enduring shipping policy in place (Ndikom, 2004). Nigeria is a major international trading nation in Africa, exporting large quantities of hydrocarbons to earn substantial revenue which accrue from crude oil export and are used mainly to fund huge trade in imports. Due to its geographical location, and spatial-logistical- characteristics, alongside its topographical landscape, Nigeria as one of the developing African nation, has a smooth functioning economy but which is dependent to a great extent on the availability of cheap and efficient shipping services. Shipping is required for the evacuation of the nation’s exports and for inward carriage of the imports. In the context of Nigerian economic growth and development as one of the developing African countries of note, shipping’s production function could well be developed in the service of the nation’s international trading requirements.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The objective of this study is to investigate Labour challenges and the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria.
The study will investigate the scale and impact of maritime insecurity and its political dimensions as well as to assess the impacts of existing and emerging instruments, initiatives and interventions to address the problem.
1.4 Research Questions
- What are the prospects of maritime industry in Nigeria?
- What are the Labour challenges and the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
Ho: There is no significant relationship between government interference and the performance of the maritime industry.
1.6 Significance of the study
This topic was selected because of the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria. The dissertation is important because it provides the needed intellectual input for understanding the difficulties faced by maritime law enforcement institutions at national and regional levels, and how the difficulties limit their efforts to combat the challenges. The research also makes a unique contribution to the growing literature on Labour challenges and the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria and it lays a foundation for further research in this area.
The expectation is that the study, along with those carried out on other regions of Africa, would engender more thoughtful and robust debate and policy-oriented actions within and outside the region. Such development could feed continental approaches to maritime security into the wider and on-going global measures to tackle maritime insecurity.
1.7 Scope of the study
The study centers on Labour challenges and the politics of maritime crisis in Nigeria.
1.8 Limitation of the study
Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Attitudes of Respondents: The researcher encountered the major challenge from the respondents on their typical reluctant attitude to fill the questionnaire or grant interview. In some cases, some respondents expect to be paid for the use of their time and knowledge; if otherwise, they were very reluctant in giving the required information. Some hoard information due to security purposes.
Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
