Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has called for more women participation in the maritime industry as part of their contribution to the development of the sector.

He disclosed this at the 2017 Business Luncheon of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), with the theme ‘Road Infrastructure Development and Maintenance of Ports Artery Roads as Panacea for National Development,’ held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

Peterside noted that growth of the sector should be all-inclusive, especially now that the Nigerian maritime industry is in dire need of contributions and collaborations from stakeholders, to take it to the next level.

Represented by NIMASA’s Director, Special Duties, Hajia Lami Tumaka, Peterside urged women to leverage their influence in supporting the Federal Government as it strives to put the necessary infrastructure in place to transform the ports.

This was contained in a statement by Mr Isichei Osamgbi, Head, Corporate Communications. He said: “We know the strength and commitment of women, we urge you to collaborate with us as we continue to provide infrastructure that will ensure the ease of doing maritime business.”

Dr Peterside noted that NIMASA noted that the agency has continued to come up with policies that will encourage women in maritime, adding that the National Seafarers Development Programme, an initiative of the agency towards arresting the dearth of trained and certified seafarers, provides a veritable platform that would encourage female participation in shipping.

He praised some initiatives of WISTA like the “girls go to sea” programme which complements NIMASA’s efforts in building effective capacity for the sector.

Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), said that the Agencies under the Ministry of Transportation are working assiduously to ensure that Apapa Port access roads are repaired. He said that soon the impact of the activities of the agencies would be felt.

President of WISTA, Mrs Mary Madu Hamman, said the association which has women in various sectors of the maritime industry, including the ministry’s departments and agencies will continue to do their best to support the government to develop infrastructure and grow the maritime sector.

Senior members of WISTA who were present at the event include (Mrs) Ufon Usoro, former DG NIMASA, (Mrs) Margret Onyema Orakwusi, (Mrs) Dabney Shall-Holma a former Director at Nigerian Shippers Council, Mrs Aisha Musa Director Planning, Research and Data Management Strategy of NIMASA, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa amongst others.

WISTA International is a global organisation which connects female executives from all sectors of the maritime industry. The association, which was formed in 1974, has a network of more than 3,000 female professionals.

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