After several years as Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki has finally crept out from the hold of her estranged boss and former Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.
Gbemi Saraki, who was consigned to a ‘spare tyre’ role under Rotimi Amaechi, stormed Lagos this week with a full complement of the Staff of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, told newsmen that her mission in Lagos was to have a feel on first basis, the myriad of problems facing Nigeria’s Maritime Industry.
According to her, “Having gone round the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports, NIMASA facilities, including the billion-dollar floating dock and other maritime infrastructure, we are now better informed and abreast of the challenges that stare us in the face.
“Once we return to Abuja, we shall sit down and agree on the immediate, short, medium and long-term solutions to what we can do in the remaining life span of this administration”, she promised.
As she spoke at the crowded press conference, one could see the burning passion in her eyes and a desire to make a difference as she meticulously took note of the observations and posers thrown at her by the various interest groups that had converged at Eko Hotel, venue of the consultative sessions with stakeholders in the course of her fact-finding visit.
Her interactive ‘no-holds barred’ session with the Maritime Media to round up her 5-day visit, was expectedly explosive, robust and very revealing.
Questions fired at her by the vibrant maritime press ranged from the moribund CVFF, the NIMASA floating dock, the NTC bill, NPA decaying Ports Infrastructure, and the controversial port concession agreement, among other burning issues on the controversy surrounding the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
Gbemi dispelled rumours making the rounds that the fund has either been pilfered or looted. ” We can tell you on good authority that disbursements will commence in the life of this administration”, she assured.
On decaying port infrastructure, Gbemi said the upgrade of such infrastructure would be given the priority it deserves.
She however dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that concessionaires should take full responsibility for such upgrades or interventions.
