The Managing Director, Ocean Service and Logistics, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, on Saturday urged the Federal Government to focus more on the maritime sector which could be the nation’s main revenue earner.

Ezenwa made the plea during the 8th Anniversary of Transport Development Symposium and Transport Development Award held in Lagos.

She said that the maritime sector was presently generating more than one trillion naira as revenue.

The expert explained that if more attention was given to such industry everybody would benefit from its huge potential which had yet to be tapped.

“Maritime industry is under-developed in Nigeria. If we all go out and see what can be done to the nation’s waters, we will realise that the maritime sector is enough to be the nation’s source of revenue generation.

“I wish to always encourage youths I come across to focus more on the maritime industry and put in their best and not by lobbying for political appointments.”

She advised maritime journalists to focus more on activities and critical issues in the maritime industry to enable government to discover the potential of the industry and make it the hub in the West Africa region.

Also speaking, Director, Shipping Development, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Capt. Warredi Enisuohurged maritime journalists to throw more light on their reports to enable technocrats and investors come into the country.

Enisuoh said many stakeholders found it difficult to operate due to lack of adequate knowledge of shipping operations.

He, however, urged stakeholders, mostly indigenous ship owners, not to hesitate to make enquiry from NIMASA for them to be properly guided on what should be done to register their ships.

Enisuoh said NIMASA had improved on its efforts in surveillance of the nation’s territorial waters

He said that this showed that NIMASA was on top of its statutory duties.

Publisher and Editor of The Quest Media Group, Mr. Felix Kumuyi, organisers of the symposium, said there was need for effective policies and modern technologies for optimum performance of the maritime industry.

Kumuyi suggested that government should appoint tested retired military officers to tackle security issues.

He also suggested that retired directors from the Federal Ministry of Transport should also be appointed to improve the maritime sector. (NAN)

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