The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that the Nigerian maritime sector has the capacity to catalyse current efforts targeted at growing the nation’s economy.
This is even as he restated the agency’s commitment to building a robust maritime sector that will substantially contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation’s economy.
Peterside, who gave this assurance when the City People Media Group conferred on him the “Award of Excellent Leadership in Public Service” in Lagos, noted that the award was a proof that the efforts of the agency in actualizing its mandates of repositioning the sector had been recognized.
He enthused: “This award means a whole lot because it shows that Nigerians acknowledge the efforts that we are making to ensure a cleaner ocean for safe and secure shipping. Also, this will spur us to keep doing our best so as to have a robust maritime sector capable of catalyzing and impacting the growth and development of the economy”.
The NIMASA boss recalled that in the past two years, the agency for the first time was able to put over 250 cadets onboard ocean going vessel to do sea time training, making the graduates employable and have also been able to make substantial contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)even as a regulatory Agency.
Similarly, he pointed out that NIMASA had been releasing the maritime industry forecast, which will serve as a compass to investors for the year 2018 and 2019.
“Today, the whole country appreciates the fact that we are making a difference In the Maritime space, we are not only contributing to the economic development of the country, we are not only creating employment for our people we are giving people opportunities they will remember for a life time”. Peterside said.
While expressing gratitude to stakeholders in the industry for their continuous collaboration and support to the agency, which he said had helped the agency in all areas of its operations, Peterside solicited more support and assured them of better days ahead.
He also commended the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, for supporting the activities of the maritime sector, noting that the gesture has enabled the agency to meet up with international best practices and thereby putting Nigeria on the pedestal of global competitiveness in the industry.
Others honoured with awards at the event are, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Shehu Sani, The Oloni of Eti-Oni, Osun State, Oba Dokun Thompson amongst others.
