Hyacinth Chinweuba
President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the Nigerian maritime sector is being repositioned by the Federal Government to take a leading position as one of the viable alternate sources of revenue in growing the economy as part of its resolve to continuously diversify the Nigerian economy.
The President who was the Special Guest of Honour at a public book presentation titled: Harnessing Nigeria’s Maritime Assets – Past, Present and Future, authored by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bashir Jamoh, said that there is no change without pain, hence the need for Nigerians to keep faith with the Federal Government’s determination of rejuvenating the Nigerian economy.
President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi noted that Nigeria has relied so much on the crude oil economy; it is time to focus on other sources particularly the Blue Economy which covers both aquatic and marine spaces including oceans, seas, coasts, lakes, rivers and underground waters. Which also encompasses a range of productive sectors; Fisheries, Aquaculture, Tourism, Transport, Ship building, energy, bio-prospecting, under-water mining and related activities, all pointing towards economic prosperity, when adequately harnessed.
“We know that the maritime sector has so much to offer the economy in terms of jobs and wealth creation and also contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On our part as a government, we are determined to walk the talk so that our economic diversification initiative will be fully achieved for the benefit of all Nigerians”, the President said.
He commended the Dr. Dakuku Peterside led Management of NIMASA for its efforts in repositioning the maritime sector and for its huge contributions to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government.
The Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi stated further that there is a new NIMASA, stating that the Agency has been transformed to being alive to its maritime regulatory and promotional mandates.
Commenting on the book, he noted that it is a document that should be given adequate consideration as it speaks to the Authority and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Speaking further he said the Federal Ministry of Transportation understands Stakeholders’ yearnings for the urgent review on the guidelines of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds (CVFF), and called for an immediate meeting in his office to find a lasting solution to it.
The event also had in attendance, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who buttressed the Federal Government’s quest for diversification, adding that the government is willing to implement any new idea that will bring about a boost to the Nigerian economy.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, also joined his counterparts in Government to assure that the military will continue to provide necessary security for the protection of the nation’s economy, including the maritime sector where the Army, Navy and Air Force are currently playing major roles in protecting our assets.
On his part, the author of the book, Mr. Bashir Jamoh noted that the book was borne out of his passion for the development of the maritime sector, adding that this is just the beginning for Nigeria as the intention of the book is to expose the vast opportunities in the maritime sector to equally do well as oil and agriculture have done to the economy.
The NIMASA Executive Director who is a seasoned administrator with over 25 years’ experience in the maritime sector is currently a PhD student at the University of Port Harcourt, specializing in Logistics and Transport Management.
Dignitaries at the occasion include; representatives of the Emirs of Kano, HRH, Sanusi Lamido II and the Emir of Zauzau, HRH, Dr. Shehu Idris.
Others include; Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Garba Shehu, past Director Generals of NIMASA, key industry players amongst others.
Meanwhile the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has supported the formation of the Nigeria Institution of Procurement Engineers (NIProcE) – Lagos Chapter, insisting that the establishment of the Institution would enhance the understanding and effective implementation of the Nigerian Public Procurement Act 2007.
While commending the initiators of the Institution, the NPA Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, however enjoined them to propagate the provisions of Procurement Act extensively so that the public sector would be guided accordingly.
Speaking through the General Manager, Engineering, Engr. Rufai Mohammed who received members of the Institution, who paid her a courtesy visit in her office on Monday, the Managing Director expressed her appreciation on the Institutions offer to partner with the Authority to ensure the successful implementation of the Act, through capacity building, and appropriate interaction with procurement entities.
Hadiza Bala Usman while commended the activities of the Institution since its inauguration in May 2017 particularly expressed her delight to the advise offered by the Institution on ways at avoiding offenses captured in section 58(4) of the Act as well as the responsibilities of the Managing Director in the Act as stipulated in section 16, sub-section 20 and 21 and section 20.
Earlier the chairman of the Institution, Engr. (Sir) Samuel Echedom had told the Managing Director that the Nigeria Institution of Procurement Engineers (NIProcE) has now become a hub and focal division of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and in pursuit of its objective, have exhibited vibrancy and commitment through organizing trainings, workshops and seminars.
He said the objective of the Institution include articulating and formulating more effective and efficient procurement process, assisting government set goal of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), establishing partnership and collaborations with the Federal Government Procurement Regulators, Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as ensuring that Nigerian contractors, suppliers, consultants and other service providers are given first consideration in all matters relating to public procurement by ensuring that the Act are compiled with by all concerned.
“As a watchdog, we want to ensure that fairness, equity, competition, transparency, openness, efficiency and value for money is achieved in the Procurement process. We will ensure that salient issues in the Act such as the Procurement Planning Committee and Evaluation Committee are set up in line with the provisions of the Act” Engr. Echedom added.
He announced plans by the Institution to host the Institution 2018 Procurement Summit billed to take place on November 3 , 2018 under the theme “The Role of Public Procurement in the Implementation of an Effective Transport System in Nigeria” at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja-Lagos.