The Nigerian Ports Authority has pledged to support, encourage and work for the successful implementation of the Cabotage Act even though it is the statutory function of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Malam Abdullahi who made the pledge in Lagos while receiving the newly elected executive members of the NISA who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday November 27, 2014, reiterated that all the stakeholders have a common stake in the overall growth of the nation’s maritime sector.
He added that for the desired development of the maritime sector to be achieved, there must be a synergy among the relevant stakeholders in the sector.
The Managing Director noted that the Authority holds the Association in high esteem as a major stakeholder in the industry whose members ‘views on issues that border on maritime administration cannot be ignored, he however enjoined them to let their relevance and importance be felt in the scheme of things.
While admonishing the body to make its voice heard by being active, he enjoined them to patronise the Continental Shipyard Limited (CSL) an NPA Joint Venture Company for the repair of their ships, he expressed his readiness to partner with NISA in the formation of a joint committee to look into areas of mutual interest.
Earlier, the president of the Association Capt. Dada Labinjo had told the Managing Director that the new executives decided to visit the MD because it recognises NPA as a very important government agency in the maritime affairs of the country.
Capt. Labinjo added that as stakeholders there is need for healthy relationship between NISA and NPA so that both can collaborate and synergise for the development of the maritime sector in order to attain international standards, in the nation’s shipping industry.
The NISA President observed that such collaboration is urgently needed now in view of the dwindling revenue from oil and gas due to the falling prices of oil in the world market, and therefore the urgent need to position the maritime sector as an alternative to oil and gas in revenue generation for the nation.
The NISA President used the occasion to call for more active involvement of NPA in Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) activities while the NISA President also suggested the composition of a joint committee of NISA & NPA to look into areas of mutual benefit to both parties.
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