An Evaluation Of The Role Of Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) In The Maritime Industry

Project and Seminar Material for Maritime and Transport

Abstract

This study was carried out on the role of NIMASA in the maritime industry. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of staff of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Lagos State. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 53 respondents and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. While the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that NIMASA plays a significant role in regulating shipping safety in terms of ship construction and navigation. The study also revealed that NIMASA plays a significant role in administering ship registration and licensing. Therefore, it is recommended that there is need for adequate evaluation and monitoring of the manpower recruitment NIMASA. This will help to ensure that workers are employed based on there technical know-how of how the industry runs and their ability to be productive to the organization, and not based on familiarity, tribalism or selfish interest of key officials. And workers must be oriented about the need to astern corrupt practices, and every victim of such should be penalized as due regardless of status. To mention but a few.

Table of Content

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Greater efficiency in Transport has been pursued recently in many countries by changing the structure and institutional framework of the industry. These changes have been introduced by such measures as privatization and deregulation so that the role of government, Federal governments in particular will be reduced significantly. The Maritime industry has been subject to similar development. However, in most third world countries like Nigeria changes in maritime and port policies have been modest. The countries in which the policy changes have been greatest are those in which national policies exerted strong influence on port performance (Usoro, 2003). The United Kingdom and New Zealand are well known examples. In recent times, the policies of government are seemingly moving in ways, consistent with a more competitive market structure. In many countries, public ownership, subsidization and some levels of central planning are still common in the maritime industry. However, the varied arrangement for the ownership and administration of ports and maritime operations gave raise to questions about the appropriateness of existing government policies. In the light of the above argument, there emerged two decades ago, the National Shipping Policy otherwise known as Decree No.10 of 1987 which came into force in 1988,establishing the then National Maritime Authority(NMA). The origin of the National Shipping Policy could be traced down to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) code of conduct (40:40:20), adopted in 1975 and entered into force in 1983. Since its inceptions, the then National Maritime Authority had created a laudable impact on the maritime industry, which in turn has a big role to play in national economic development. Nigeria has a highly productive open sea with abundant and diverse maritime resources. However, Nigeria has not been able to maximize the advantage of these natural resources. Rather, she has in the last half a century, witnessed a chequered history in the development of her maritime industry and shipping to be precise. Earlier than the period 1959, the maritime industry of Nigeria was exclusively owned, managed and controlled by her colonial master and its international maritime business allies. Essentially, the cyclic theory of port oscillation is manifest in port concentration and diffusion, which could be attributed to the then trend in cargo through put of the country’s port. This situation was not peculiar to Nigeria alone as many other African countries also found it extremely difficult to take part in the maritime business of their country .The ports were managed by these foreigners who handled exclusively the import and export cargo. Therefore the benefits that should accrue to a country in the management of her maritime industry went to the foreigners (Usoro, 2003). Today, the shipment of cargo into and out of Nigeria mostly depends on foreign shipping lines. More so, in spite of the “National Shipping Policy”, Nigeria faces a crisis of extinction from her maritime industry. Perhaps, the country needs to know what it is losing to be able to adequately address this problem. Maybe, the passage of the coastal and inland shipping Act, 2003 by the National Assembly seems to mark a new beginning in the shipping and maritime administration in Nigeria (Wambua, 2009).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The rebirth of National Maritime Authority (NMA) to Nigerian Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should create room for efficiency in the maritime sector while the carbotage regime is expected to increase to a reasonable extent, indigenous participation in maritime business. Based this problem discussed so far, this paper aims at appraising the contributions of NIMASA to the development of Nigerian Maritime industry and to ascertain if there exist any significant relationship between the number of ships registered by NIMASA and the revenue accrued to the government (Wambua, 2009).

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to evaluate of the role of NIMASA in the maritime industry. Other objectives of this study are:

To determine whether NIMASA plays a significant role in regulating shipping safety in terms of ship construction and navigation.
Determine whether NIMASA plays a significant role in administering ship registration and licensing.
To determine whether NIMASA has contributed positively to the development of Nigeria Maritime industry.
To find out if there are factors influencing the effectiveness of NIMASA in carrying out its’ statutory roles.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Does NIMASA play any significant role in regulating shipping safety in terms of ship construction and navigation?
Does NIMASA play any significant role in administering ship registration and licensing?
Have NIMASA contributed positively to the development of Nigeria Maritime industry?
Are there are factors influencing the effectiveness of NIMASA in carrying out its’ statutory roles?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following hypotheses will validate this study:

H0: NIMASA does not play a role in the maritime industry.
Ha: NIMASA plays a role in the maritime industry

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great benefit to the maritime industry as it will highlight the role of NIMASA in the sector. It will also serve as a literature for further studies.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the role of NIMASA in the maritime industry. Specifically, this study focuses on determining whether NIMASA plays a role in the maritime industry, determining whether NIMASA’s contributions to the development of Nigeria Maritime industry significant and determining whether NIMASA has challenges in the maritime industry.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

NIMASA:

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, formerly the National Maritime Authority is responsible for regulations related to Nigerian shipping, maritime labor and coastal waters. The agency also undertakes inspections and provides search and rescue services.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the role of NIMASA in the maritime industry. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the role of NIMASA in the maritime industry. The study is was specifically carried out to determine whether NIMASA plays a significant role in regulating shipping safety in terms of ship construction and navigation, determine whether NIMASA plays a significant role in administering ship registration and licensing, determine whether NIMASA has contributed positively to the development of Nigeria Maritime industry, and find out if there are factors influencing the effectiveness of NIMASA in carrying out its’ statutory roles.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were staff of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Lagos State.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

NIMASA plays a significant role in regulating shipping safety in terms of ship construction and navigation.
NIMASA plays a significant role in administering ship registration and licensing.
NIMASA has contributed positively to the development of Nigeria Maritime industry.
There are factors influencing the effectiveness of NIMASA in carrying out its’ statutory roles.

5.4 Recommendations

Base on the findings, the following recommendations can be made:

There is need for adequate evaluation and monitoring of the manpower recruitment NIMASA. This will help to ensure that workers are employed based on there technical know-how of how the industry runs and their ability to be productive to the organization, and not based on familiarity, tribalism or selfish interest of key officials.
There is need to motivate workers of NIMASA. This will help to increase their morale and encourage them to be more productive at work.
Workers must be oriented about the need to astern corrupt practices, and every victim of such should be penalized as due regardless of status.
Government should provide every assistance to NIMASA to help them operate effectively.