NIMASA, critical to growth and development of Nigeria Maritime subsector-ACCI President
By Peter Usman://
Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI has stated that NIMASA as an agency of government remains critical to the overall growth and development of the Nigeria Maritime subsector.
President, ACCI Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, made this declaration on Saturday at the NIMASA Day at the ongoing 16th Abuja International Trade Fair.
Abubakar noted that NIMASA has a top role to play in the Nigerian blue economy, a term he said is increasingly becoming popular as a description of totality of Maritime economy.
ACCI President, who was represented at the event by a former Minister, Dr. Idi Hung, said it is on record that the current management of NIMASA has raised the bar especially in the area of driving the adoption and popularisation of blue economy.
“I am aware that NIMASA under Dr. Bashir Jamoh has developed national framework for Nigerian blue economy. A lot of initiatives have been crafted and launched. The business public is eager to listen to details of business and investment opportunities available within the Maritime space” he said.
Speaking further, Abubakar said evolving events and development in the sector confirmed that blue economy is a huge alternative under the diversification drive of the Federal Government. The good thing is that NIMASA has placed Nigeria on strong pedestal to tap into the blue economy potentials.
“As one of the foremost Chambers in Nigeria and the voice of the private sector, we would like to seek an active collaboration with NIMASA for the joint hosting of annual Blue Economy Conference at this convention centre and beyond.
“My expectation during this auspicious day is that policy matters affecting the sector will be extensively discussed and key takeaways will be handed over to participants both local and international
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh stated that the Federal Government must continue to concentrate on the non-oil sectors to grow the national economy.
Dr. Jamoh on NIMASA Day at the ongoing 16th Abuja International Trade Fair with the theme, “Exploring Opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA on Saturday said, the oil sector does not add value to the GDP because it only contribute less than 10 percent to it but the non-oil sector contributes larger percentage.
Represented at the event by the Deputy Director Shipping Promotion, Dr. Momoh Alhassan, he said, we need to diversify the country economy from oil to where the country can gain more, especially in agriculture among others.
He asserted that despite the negative effects of COVID-19 on many sectors, the Maritime sector was not affected because it operates the blue economy”
The Director lauded the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI for the annual trade fair, adding that the 16th Abuja International trade fair was organized in a unique way.