The Director General, Nigeria Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Ifeyinwa Akerele has asserted that the shipping industry has been grossly neglected by successive governments. She stated this during the quarterly two day training course organized by the Chamber, titled, the ABC of Shipping, in Lagos, last week.
According to her, “Chamber of Shipping as an advocacy platform strives to help make favorable polices through interaction with the legislative and executive arms of government, to ensure that the sector is given its rightful place because right now the maritime industry is still grossly neglected.”
Akerele expressed optimism that as the government gets knowledge of the potential economic benefits inherent in the shipping industry, it will increase their active participation in the sector.
She explained “the Chamber will organize interactive sessions with leaders of the National Assembly to enlighten them on our activities and we will continue reaching out to all the arms of the maritime to brainstorm on how to achieve world best practices.
Akerele further stated “in the Local Content Act, we represent shipping and logistics, and we coordinate activities in that area, however, there is a change of government, so everything is a bit slow but once the new government settles down, I believe we will achieve a whole lot.”
The training programme which is basically focused on educating participants about the existing fundamentals in the maritime industry, targets youth corpers and young school leavers and has over time become high in demand among maritime operators and professionals.
Resource persons includes but is not limited to; Barr. Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, Engr. Adebiyi Adeosu and Mr.Nnamdi Eronini and they lectured on the Rudiments of Marine Insurance, Maritime Security, Safety, Health and Environment and the Introduction to Maritime Logistics, respectively.
