Nigeria records 60% growth in maritime sector in 2016 –NIMASA

Nigeria recorded above average in its maritime sector, having achieved about 59.5 per cent increase in vessel traffic at the various sea ports in 2016.

The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, who disclosed this in Lagos, on Tuesday, said a total of 370 vessels called at the ports across the country in 2016 as against 262 in 2015.

He also disclosed that the vessels in 2016 came with 420,000 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) recording about 80.1 per cent jump from its figure of 233,000 GRT recorded in 2015.

The NIMASA DG attributed the progress made in the sector, despite the recession, to the confidence international players have in Nigerian maritime industry.

“Nigeria remains one of the few countries that have been able to implement reforms based on the new Cabotage law, which is guiding the industry world wide.

“But before the cabotage regime came into being, less than 12 per cent of Nigerians were on-board vessels operating in Nigerian waters, but today the figures have changed significantly as over 60 per cent of workers on-board vessels operating under the cabotage regime are now Nigerians.

Read also: Peterside bows out from Stanbic IBTC Bank

“It may also interest you to note that before 2003, less than three per cent of vessels operating on our waters were flagged Nigerian. However, today, we have over 60 per cent vessels doing business in Nigerian waters flying the Nigerian flag.

“Another good news about the cabotage regime is the fact that we have been able to achieve 20 per cent in building cabotage vessels from a completely foreign dominated era. “Our aim is to target 100 per cent cabotage compliance in the nearest future.

“The issue of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund is one we have taken a critical look at and I can categorically say that we are addressing the issues militating against the fund being fully operational and accessible”, Peterside stated.

But he was silent on the alleged abuse of the system by government agencies posted at the ports, which has forced licenced clearing agencies in the country to issue a 21-day ultimatum to government to look into the matter, failure of which they would ground the sector.

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