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| Transportation Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi |
The
Federal Government has expressed readiness to establish a national shipping
line as part of efforts to develop the shipping sub-sector of the maritime
industry.
Federal Government has expressed readiness to establish a national shipping
line as part of efforts to develop the shipping sub-sector of the maritime
industry.
The
Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this on Wednesday
while speaking at the opening of the 2016 African Maritime Conference.
Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this on Wednesday
while speaking at the opening of the 2016 African Maritime Conference.
The
three-day conference with the theme ‘Financing The African Fleet: ‘Capacity
Development In The African Maritime Industry’ is holding at the Eko Hotel &
Suites, Victoria Island from Wednesday, Feb. 24 to Friday, Feb. 26.
three-day conference with the theme ‘Financing The African Fleet: ‘Capacity
Development In The African Maritime Industry’ is holding at the Eko Hotel &
Suites, Victoria Island from Wednesday, Feb. 24 to Friday, Feb. 26.
Amaechi
stated that national carrier would support the training of cadets on sea time,
much as it would serve the purpose of being engaged in carrying the national
cargo.
stated that national carrier would support the training of cadets on sea time,
much as it would serve the purpose of being engaged in carrying the national
cargo.
He,
however, said that the industry would not involve in financing ‘gifts’ to people
to lavish.
however, said that the industry would not involve in financing ‘gifts’ to people
to lavish.
He
said the industry would rather acquire vessels that Nigerians would own.
said the industry would rather acquire vessels that Nigerians would own.
Speaking
on the Cabotage Act, the minister said “We will urge the President to enforce
the law on Cabotage, but that is after we have floated the National Carrier.
on the Cabotage Act, the minister said “We will urge the President to enforce
the law on Cabotage, but that is after we have floated the National Carrier.
“We
have agreed on a 60/40 model, where Nigerians own the larger percentage and the
other goes to foreigners,” the Minister said.
have agreed on a 60/40 model, where Nigerians own the larger percentage and the
other goes to foreigners,” the Minister said.
He
said the ministry would partner with industry operators in its bid to have a
better-organised maritime sector, adding that the industry should be part of
its wealth-creating plan.
said the ministry would partner with industry operators in its bid to have a
better-organised maritime sector, adding that the industry should be part of
its wealth-creating plan.
The
Honourable Minister urged industry operators to understand that government’s
role should primarily be to support policy workability and ensure stability to
the benefit of the trade environment.
Honourable Minister urged industry operators to understand that government’s
role should primarily be to support policy workability and ensure stability to
the benefit of the trade environment.
With
respect to sea time for cadets, Amaechi said the goal for establishing the
Maritime Academy, Oron in Akwa Ibom, had been defeated.
respect to sea time for cadets, Amaechi said the goal for establishing the
Maritime Academy, Oron in Akwa Ibom, had been defeated.
He
also reiterated the need to carry out a performance audit of the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency(NIMASA) to right whatever wrong that may have existed there.
also reiterated the need to carry out a performance audit of the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency(NIMASA) to right whatever wrong that may have existed there.
The
minister called for proper briefing on the transporter, MV HORTEN, said to be
laying redundant on the marina waters, while it was reported to having the
capacity for training of 135 cadets at sea.
minister called for proper briefing on the transporter, MV HORTEN, said to be
laying redundant on the marina waters, while it was reported to having the
capacity for training of 135 cadets at sea.
It
would be recalled that the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line was
liquidated in 1995.
would be recalled that the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line was
liquidated in 1995.
