Abdulsalami Abubakar
A
former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has noted that it
is high time alternative sources of revenue were developed for the
nation, observing that the maritime sector is well positioned to do
so. Abubakar, who spoke ahead of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Maritime Awards, also
commended efforts by the Agency to motivate stakeholders and staff.
He said this 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,” General
Abubakar said.
On
his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,
disclosed that 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
and 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,” Dr.
Dakuku said.
The
past year was quite eventful for the maritime industry under Dakuku,
as many important milestones were recorded. Among them are the
provision of sea time for over 500 cadets; the arrival of the modular
floating dockyard that will create capacity and help retain
multimillion of dollars in-country for through vessel maintenance;
midwifing of the collective bargaining agreement for industrial
harmony with improves wages and entitlements for maritime workers.
The
Agency also championed the change of terms of trade from Free on
Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF), to enable local
participation of Nigerian shipping firms in the crude oil business to
create wealth and employment; for the first time, NIMASA initiated a
maritime industry forecast aimed at providing direction for industry
players.
The
event, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 12, at the 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, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who is
the host.
Also
expected are the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Ondo, Kaduna, Kebbi
and Borno states, as well as Honourable Ministers of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
Others
expected to attend are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Dr.
(Mrs.) Nike Akande, as well as royal fathers, including His Highness,
the Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, His Imperial Majesty, the
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, top government officials,
National Assembly members, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The
award categories include Shipping Company of the Year 2018 (Dry
Cargo), Shipping Company of the Year 2018 (Wet Cargo), Maritime
Education and Training Institute of the Year 2018, Manning Agent of
the Year 2018, and Seafarers' Employer of the Year 2018.
Staff
of the Agency will be honoured for outstanding performance and an
Employee of the Year will be picked from the 11 winners of the
Employee of the Month awards from January to November 2018.
It
would be recalled that at last year’s event, Maersk Nigeria
Limited, Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Nigeria Ltd, Charkins Maritime,
and Offshore Safety Centre, among others, were duly recognised with
corporate and industry awards.
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