Marine Ministry Targets $1 trillion Economy in Four Years
The Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Pius Akuta has declared that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy, has begun to develop a policy framework that would raise the economy from less than half a billion dollar base to a trillion dollar in the next four years.
Akuta, who made this known at a one day Seminar on “Understanding the Structure and Functions of Regulatory Agencies in the Port System” organised by the NSC, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, noted that the Blue Economy Policy is the government’s hope to achieving the set target.
In his keynote lecture delivered on his behalf by the Zonal Coordinator, NSC, South-south Zone, Jeremiah Okoliko said that the Ministry is currently developing a holistic new policy document for Blue Economy with issues of Port efficiency as its major focus. To achieve this target, he noted, hindrances to efficient port operations are being identified and speedily removed and this is the reason why regulatory agencies in the port system must be able to understand its regulatory functions and work towards achieving results.
“There is no doubt that the initiative will relieve the unnecessary bottlenecks in release of cargoes and enhance seamless operations to the benefit of Port service providers and users,” Okoliko said.
He further explained that the issue of freight differentials by cargo vessels and airlines coming to Lagos route, ports and Eastern route, Ports, identified lack of jobs and insecurity on Eastern waterways are the major cause, but assure that the Ministry of Blue Economy is not resting on its oars to addressing the menace to guarantee rounded efficiency in port business in the country.
“The issue of price differentials in terms of export has been lingering over time, The Federal Government has set up a committee on revitalisation of Eastern Port, and from the report of the committee, the issue has been reduced but not completely eliminated.
‘There are indicators discovered to be affecting total removal of the Challenge such as the fact that cargo Airlines and Vessels rendering freight services consider coming to Eastern Ports and South-south areas to deliver goods as one-way as the chances of getting jobs, goods from the back to Lagos is very slime, hence they charge double to cover the cost of to and fro.
‘Most exporters from the SouthEast and South-south prefer going to Lagos to look for other partners who they can join to export goods under a joint cargo in a single container for cheaper exportation cost
“Most of the Exporters prefer to go to Lagos to see if they can stuff their cargoes into one container or consolidate it in a container because the price differential. That phenomenon has been there overtime, it is difficult to ease it from the exporters, for that reason, any airplane or vessel coming to this part of the country charges double to cover both ways,” he concluded.
SOURCE: The Nation
