The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has said with many countries proposing ban on use of fossil fuels, and the world transitioning from oil, maritime offers Nigeria a bounteous substitute in the country’s economic diversification drive.
The NIMASA boss stated this recently in Abuja, when he delivered a paper at the National Defence College (NDC).
A statement signed by Philip Kyanet, Head, Corporate Communications, NIMASA said that during his lecture, titled: “Maritime Security and National Development in Nigeria: The Role of NIMASA,” was for NDC Course 29 participants. Jamoh said maritime had enormous potential to drive sustainable development in Nigeria, with huge investment opportunities in shipbuilding and repairs, offshore/floating spare parts sales and maintenance, freshwater bunkering and supply, dredging, and inland waterways transportation.
“Judging by a simple maritime resource mapping, and also research by reputable local and international organisations, it is clear that our marine environment can give us annually 30 times more than what we get from oil. There is boundless opportunity for investment in the sector, given the right conditions”, he stated.
The Director-General further said the fiscal and monetary interventions by government, recent arrangements for better management of the NIMASA modular floating dock, and stakeholder support systems were part of efforts to enthrone good governance in the sector.
In his remarks, Commandant, National Defence College, Rear-Admiral Mackson Kadir, called for a positive re-orientation towards maritime and commended the NIMASA Director-General for his efforts towards the growth of the maritime industry and intensification of the collaborative spirit among relevant organisations in the sector.
