Maritime sector well positioned as alternative source of revenue – Abdulsalami

A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, wants Nigeria to develop alternative sources of revenue to oil and believes  the maritime sector is one such good source.

Speaking ahead of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Maritime Awards, scheduled for today, Abubakar  also commended efforts by the agency to motivate stakeholders and staff.

This, according to him, would help them take advantage of the policies in place to invest and grow the economy.

“It is time to develop other alternative sources of revenue for the nation and the maritime sector is well positioned to do so. What NIMASA is doing in the industry and the awards are quite in line to motivate stakeholders and staff to take advantage of the policies in place to invest and grow the economy,” Abubakar said.

On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the successes recorded so far in the maritime sector were as a result of the cooperation of the stakeholders in the industry with the agency.

The DG added that the award was part of the efforts to celebrate and reward excellence in the Nigerian maritime industry and to also encourage more local participation in the shipping business as well as draw attention to the vast opportunities in the sector for both foreign and local investors to grow the blue economy, which is now the focus of global investments.

“As an agency, we recognise the role of our stakeholders in our drive to realise a robust maritime sector. Without the stakeholders, there will be no NIMASA and by extension, no maritime industry. We are therefore hopeful that in the coming years, we will continue to work assiduously to meet the yearnings of the industry as we hope to engage more in collaboration, so that all of us can boast of a robust maritime sector,” Dakuku said.

The event, which is scheduled for Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, is expected to attract dignitaries from all walks of life, among who are Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, who is billed to chair the event, and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who is the host.