Obasanjo tasks FG, stakeholders to develop maritime sector

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday urged government and maritime stakeholders to articulate strategies that would grow the maritime industry as viable option to oil and gas.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

This is contained in a statement by Lami Tumaka, Spokesperson of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos on Tuesday.

The statement said that Obasanjo at a two-day stakeholders’ conference on the maritime industry tagged “Building a Sustainable Maritime Industry in Nigeria” organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

According to the statement, the former president said most countries have attained greatness by utilising the available resources in their maritime environment.

He highlighted opportunities in the Nigerian maritime sector to include the vastness of its coastline and huge population.

He called on government to show more commitment by engaging professionals to assist in running the affairs of the industry in order to make Nigeria a key player of maritime activity in the African region.

Obasanjo also urged the Federal Government to put machinery in place to sanitise the sector for greater efficiency and productivity.

The statement said that the Minster of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, in his speech at the occasion said that the Federal Government would revive the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).

He said that the shipping company resuscitation would be without government financial contribution and would be managed by the private sector.

Amaechi identified corruption as one of the things hindering the growth of the maritime sector, adding Buhari’s administration was determined to stamp out corruption in all sectors of the economy.

“This is a reformist regime and change is not an easy task; the era of making laws without enforcement and implementation is over.

“Therefore, there is need for Nigerians to join hands with this government in rebuilding the nation,’’ he said.