Shittu urges government for more investment in maritime sector

Abiola Seun I

The Former president of the Association of Nigerian Liscenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu has urged the Federal Government to invest more in the maritime sector.

Shittu who made the appeal in a chat with journalists at an industry event recently said that the maritime sector possesses a lot of potentials which ought to be tapped and exposed so that foreign and local investors can complement government’s efforts at investing in them for the benefit of the nation’s economy.

According to him, the concept of the Deep Blue Sea Economy which is currently being promoted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has presented an opportunity for the government to attract more attention to the huge potentials of the sector.

Shittu, a foremost clearing agent said that since the importance of the maritime sector to the economy cannot be over emphasized , there is need for government to ensure that the industry is well organised and co-ordinated for it to attract adequate number of foreign investors.

He noted the fact that the future of Nigeria belongs to the youth, adding there is also the need to make them to develop interest in the maritime sector due to its capacity to also contribute tremendously to the nation’s treasury .

He stated that apart from the fact that the maritime sector possesses the capacity to contribute to the youth unemployment that is plaguing Nigeria , the industry itself is suffering from inadequate number of skilled manpower , adding that government needed to re package the sector to make the youth to be interested in it.
Shittu challenged the Transportation Ministry to be alive to its responsibilities by ensuring that the maritime sector takes its pride of place in the economy, noting that this should be the focus of the Minister and the other stakeholders in the industry.