1 week ago
21
From Idu Jude, Abuja
The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has stated that the ongoing reforms in the maritime sector by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, have repositioned the sector for growth. He added that the maritime sector could generate over $30 billion annually when fully developed.
Speaking over the weekend in Abuja at an award ceremony organised by Top 10 Magazine, the Executive Secretary pointed out that the Council is looking to transition from the Shippers’ Council to a Port Economic Regulatory Agency—one of the missing elements since the sector’s reform in 2007.
“We are so happy that the National Assembly has graciously, in both Chambers, passed that law, and we are looking forward to Mr President’s assent.”
Akutah explained that when Mr President assents to the law, “we will begin to transmute from the Shippers’ Council mandate to the unofficial Port Economic Regulatory Agency mandate, which has been given to us by Presidential directive as a regulatory body backed by law.
“What that means is that we will be empowered to bring about efficiency in the sector, which has eluded Nigeria for many years. Once the sector becomes efficient, it will promote fair trade policies and competitiveness.”
The Executive Secretary further stated that efficiency would enhance competitiveness by benchmarking Nigeria’s maritime industry against other nations in West Africa and globally.
“I think that the regulations coming as a result of the new government policies will bring the desired development for the industry’s growth.”
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to support these policies for the development of the country’s maritime sector.
In his welcome address, the publisher of Top 10 Magazine, Tony Iji, said the awardees had contributed to the growth of their respective sectors.
He urged them to do even more, as the country needs their dedication for sustainable development.
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