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| President, Ship Owners Association of Nigerian (SOAN), Dr. Mkgeorge Onyung (middle), flanked by SOAN 1st Vice President, Mr. Eno J Williams (left) and the Chairman Technical Committee, Dr. (Engr) Lucky Akhiwu at the SOAN Secretariat in Ikoyi, Lagos,Thursday. |
The Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) has set plans rolling for
its fourth-coming Shipping Expo, which is aimed at creating more jobs and open investment opportunities in the sub-sector.
its fourth-coming Shipping Expo, which is aimed at creating more jobs and open investment opportunities in the sub-sector.
SOAN President, Dr. Mkgeorge Onyung, disclosed in a news briefing in
Lagos on Thursday that the Expo themed “The Ocean Blue Economy and National
Development” would enable Nigeria explore opportunities in the Blue Economy, as it aims to boost national economy.
According to Onyung, “The Lagos international Shipping Expo”, which
would come up on November 27 and 28 at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, would
expose Nigerians to the best ways to use the ocean resources for a sustainable
economy.
would come up on November 27 and 28 at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, would
expose Nigerians to the best ways to use the ocean resources for a sustainable
economy.
Onyung, who commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
(NIMASA) for its initiative in a phased cessation of waivers, said the strategy
would ensure investment in-country, and create more employment opportunities in
the sector.
(NIMASA) for its initiative in a phased cessation of waivers, said the strategy
would ensure investment in-country, and create more employment opportunities in
the sector.
He added that SOAN, which prefers a concept of ‘Shareholders’ than being
seen as ‘stakeholders’ would strategise to
work with NIMASA and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that NIMASA actually
midwifes the initiative.
seen as ‘stakeholders’ would strategise to
work with NIMASA and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that NIMASA actually
midwifes the initiative.
The SOAN President said the association would henceforth establish more
seriously, the role of capacity building and acquisition as a laudable approach
to economic development.
seriously, the role of capacity building and acquisition as a laudable approach
to economic development.
He also said that the renewed efforts at growing the economy through the
sector would continue to drive the support for the Cabotage Act.
sector would continue to drive the support for the Cabotage Act.
He said: “Our Cabotage Law has been with us for 15 years now; we’ll see
it as contribution to ensuring that we open the doors for people to understand
what Cabotage really means and the opportunities in it.
it as contribution to ensuring that we open the doors for people to understand
what Cabotage really means and the opportunities in it.
“The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had
established a committee between the agency and stakeholders to look into the
challenges affecting the waivers in the last five years.
established a committee between the agency and stakeholders to look into the
challenges affecting the waivers in the last five years.
“We must have both ship building and ship repair yard in Nigeria, there
is need to open up for acquisition.
is need to open up for acquisition.
“Within the next five years, the Nigeria Content will be in the region
of 3.5 billion dollars and in order to enjoy these benefits, we need to upgrade
our capacity.
of 3.5 billion dollars and in order to enjoy these benefits, we need to upgrade
our capacity.
“The upcoming conference will open opportunities to collaborate toward
ship building opportunities in Nigeria.”
ship building opportunities in Nigeria.”
Onyung said the association was working to support efforts at decongesting the Lagos
ports by reviving the other ports in the country to create more jobs for
Nigerians.
ports by reviving the other ports in the country to create more jobs for
Nigerians.
