Shipping Stakeholders Laud Move to Disburse Cabotage Fund

Last week, Mr Oyetola instructed NIMASA to initiate the long-awaited disbursement process for the CVFF.

The CVFF, established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, was designed to empower Nigerian shipping companies through access to structured financing for vessel acquisition.

However, successive administrations failed to operationalize the fund—until now. This directive marks a significant shift from over two decades of administrative stagnation and ushers in a new era of strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s indigenous shipping.

Several stakeholders including Mr Greg Ogbeifun, the Managing Director of Starzs Marine and Engineering Limited, said the directive is a welcome development that will further spur the growth of the sector.

He also urged the government to ensure that the requirements of the act are followed.

He said that the minister is acting accordingly by taking the bull by its horns through the disbursement of the fund.

“The minister’s move is commendable. The important thing is that due processes, according to the requirements of the Act, have to be followed. I have looked at the marine notice that was sent out, and I think it’s in line with the requirements of the Act,” Mr Ogbeifun said.

He mentioned that, looking at the previous guidelines, there is a reason to believe that the minister is acting accordingly.

“But I don’t know if the requirements of the Act, as it relates to the legislative part of government, are followed,” he stated.

Mr Ogbeifun reiterated that the directive would unlock the long-standing issue of disbursement of the CVFF.

On his part, the President of SOAN, Mr Sonny Eja, applauded Mr Oyetola, stating that the decision was a welcome development.

Mr Eja mentioned that aside from being long overdue, partnering with the Bank of Industry for the disbursement is another feat.

“I would say this is a welcome development, though it’s long overdue. I have always said to people, don’t blame yourself for not doing something yesterday or for not doing something last week or last month, the best time to start is now, and so it’s a welcome development.

“I am equally excited about the fact that they are partnering with Bank of Industry (BOI) in respect of this fund. For me, to hear that they are going to work with BOI to disburse this fund is quite a good development,” Mr Eja added.