The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it is prioritising the promotion of indigenous shipping development for the participation of Nigerians in domestic and international seaborne trade.
Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this on Friday, in a keynote address during the special day of NIMASA at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, which kicked off on April 4.
Mobereola called on private investors and groups to partner with NIMASA and take full advantage of the wide range of business opportunities in the Nigeria blue economic sector, particularly in the maritime transport segment.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Strategic Development, Mr. Umar Mohammed, the director general noted that prioritising the promotion of indigenous shipping development is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.
According to him, the move is meant to achieve inclusive economic prosperity through job creation among other objectives.
He said: “In this regard, NIMASA management has adopted the system approach that provides for integrated development strategy.
“The priority is on simultaneous investment in the development of critical components of the maritime transport system (shipping services).
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“These are innovative shipbuilding scheme for fleet acquisition by indigenous operators, establishment of national carrier line to partake in the affreightment of Nigeria’s international seaborne trade to reduce the huge economic distortions caused by the non-involvement of Nigerian carriers.
“The agency has also established additional maritime academies for the production of globally competitive seafarers, and implementation of public sector cargo support programme to create captive freight market for indigenous carriers.”
The NIMASA boss said that the move will also facilitate market access for indigenous carriers, who may not stand any chance to compete favourably with the more established foreign carriers that have dominated Nigeria’s seaborne trade over the years.
“All these objectives are being pursued through partnership with the private sectors,” the director general added.
He commended the laudable efforts of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Chief Odeiga Jideonwo, for providing an auspicious opportunity to create awareness and citizen’s participation in trade and investment of products and services.
Earlier, Jideonwo said that there is no doubt that the quantum of imported goods through shipping in the country’s coastal lines had greatly boosted trade, industry and commerce.
He said this would have been impossible without the critical role played by NIMASA.
