The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Dr Pius Akutah has disclosed that the country’s maritime sector will be able to generate over $30 billion annual revenue if the potentials in the industry are fully harnessed.
Speaking at the Weekend in Abuja while receiving an award from Top 10 Magazine as the ‘Regulator of the Year, Akutah said recent reforms in the maritime sector by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry has repositioned the sector for growth.
“This is the first award that I have received since I came into this industry. Now what it means is that, for us at the Nigerian Shippers Council, we are looking at transmitting from Shippers Council to Port Economic Regulatory Agency which is one of the things that has been missing since the reform of the sector in 2007.
“We are so happy that the National Assembly has graciously in the two Chambers passed that law and we looking forward to Mr. President’s assent”.
Akutah explained that when Mr. President gives assent to the law, “we will begin to transmit from the Shippers Council mandate to the unofficial Port Economic Regulatory Agency mandate which is 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 eroded Nigeria for many years and once the sector becomes efficient, it will promote fair trade policies, it will promote competitiveness in the sector”.
The ES further noted that efficiency will promote competitiveness in benchmarking with other maritime nations around West Africa and the globe.
“Benchmarking in terms of maritime sector activities in Nigeria, the maritime sector returns huge benefits for the country, that sector alone can generate $30 billion in a year when properly developed.
“I think that the regulations that are coming as a result of the new policies of government will bring the desired development for the growth of the industry.
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 have contributed in the growth of the various sectors they are representing.
He urged them (awardees) to do even more going forward as the country was in need of their dedication for her sustainable development.
At the award ceremony, the Secretary to the Federal government, Sen. George Akume received the ‘Man of the Year award while Chief Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo was given ‘Woman of the Year’ award.
