Harboursandport.com: Lagos --- President Muhammadu Buhari has stated
that the Nigerian maritime sector is being repositioned by the Federal
Government to take a leading position as one of the viable alternate sources of
revenue in growing the economy as part of its resolve to continuously diversify
the Nigerian economy.
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The author of the book, Mr. Bashir Jamoh flanked by
Dr. Chris Asoluka (left) and the Board Chairman
of
NIMASA, Major General, Jonathan India Garba
(rtd)
right at the book launch in Abuja today.
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The President who was the Special Guest of Honour at a public
book presentation titled: Harnessing Nigeria’s Maritime Assets – Past, Present
and Future, authored by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bashir
Jamoh, said that there is no change without pain, hence the need for Nigerians
to keep faith with the Federal Government’s determination of rejuvenating the
Nigerian economy.
President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of
Transportatio, Rotimi Amaechi noted that Nigeria has relied so much on the
crude oil economy; it is time to focus on other sources particularly the Blue
Economy which covers both aquatic and marine spaces including oceans, seas,
coasts, lakes, rivers and underground waters. Which also encompasses a range of
productive sectors; Fisheries, Aquaculture, Tourism, Transport, Ship building,
energy, bio-prospecting, under-water mining and related activities, all
pointing towards economic prosperity, when adequately harnessed.
“We know that the maritime sector has so much to offer the economy in
terms of jobs and wealth creation and also contribution to the nation’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). On our part as a government, we are determined to walk
the talk so that our economic diversification initiative will be fully achieved
for the benefit of all Nigerians”, the President said.
He commended the Dr. Dakuku Peterside led Management of NIMASA
for its efforts in repositioning the maritime sector and for its huge
contributions to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government.
The Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi stated further that there is a new NIMASA, stating
that the Agency has been transformed to being alive to its maritime regulatory
and promotional mandates.
Commenting on the book, he noted that it is a document that
should be given adequate consideration as it speaks to the Authority and other
Stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Speaking further he said the Federal Ministry of Transportation
understands Stakeholders’ yearnings for the urgent review on the guidelines of
the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds (CVFF), and called for
an immediate meeting in his office to find a lasting solution to it.
The event also had in attendance, the Minister of Information
and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who buttressed the Federal Government’s quest
for diversification, adding that the government is willing to implement any new
idea that will bring about a boost to the Nigerian economy.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, also joined
his counterparts in Government to assure that the military will continue to
provide necessary security for the protection of the nation’s economy,
including the maritime sector where the Army, Navy and Air Force are currently
playing major roles in protecting our assets.
On his part, the author of the book, Mr. Bashir Jamoh noted that
the book was borne out of his passion for the development of the maritime
sector, adding that this is just the beginning for Nigeria as the intention of
the book is to expose the vast opportunities in the maritime sector to equally
do well as oil and agriculture have done to the economy.
The NIMASA Executive Director who is a seasoned administrator
with over 25 years’ experience in the maritime sector is currently a Ph. D
student at the University of Port Harcourt, specializing in Logistics and
Transport Management.
Dignitaries at the occasion include; representatives of the
Emirs of Kano, HRH, Sanusi Lamido II and the Emir of Zauzau, HRH, Dr. Shehu
Idris.
Others include; Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika,
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs.
Yetunde Onanuga, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Garba
Shehu, past Director Generals of NIMASA, key industry players amongst
other.
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