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L-R; Dr Wilfred Mamah Partner, Development Law Group; Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and Mrs. Bisi
Akodu, Partner Corporate/Commercial & Public Sector Group of OAL at the news conference in Lagos. |
Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a maritime lawyer and a Senior
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to appoint a
minister of maritime.
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to appoint a
minister of maritime.
Agbakoba
made the appeal at a news conference in Lagos. The conference was organised by
the Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL).
He
said that the office of a maritime minister would enable all issues concerning
the sector to be given the needed attention for the benefit of the economy.
said that the office of a maritime minister would enable all issues concerning
the sector to be given the needed attention for the benefit of the economy.
“The
sector should push for a minister; someone who can be at that level to talk
with the President.
“It will help to establish what the industry truly needs to generate huge
revenue for the economy,’’ the maritime lawyer said.
sector should push for a minister; someone who can be at that level to talk
with the President.
“It will help to establish what the industry truly needs to generate huge
revenue for the economy,’’ the maritime lawyer said.
He
noted that maritime stakeholders had come under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council
as the ports economic regulator, to devise a plan called the ‘Maritime Action
Plan 2015’ to look at critical sectors of the industry.
noted that maritime stakeholders had come under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council
as the ports economic regulator, to devise a plan called the ‘Maritime Action
Plan 2015’ to look at critical sectors of the industry.
Agbakoba
said that arbitrary increase in port charges by terminal operators had made the
ports uncompetitive.
He urged that this should stop in the interest of the economy.
said that arbitrary increase in port charges by terminal operators had made the
ports uncompetitive.
He urged that this should stop in the interest of the economy.
“Because
of the dependence on oil for revenue, we have forgotten agriculture,
manufacturing and shipping.
of the dependence on oil for revenue, we have forgotten agriculture,
manufacturing and shipping.
“Key
players in the maritime sector have a role to play to continue to bring to
government’s attention, the capacity of the sector to generate jobs, revenues
and well-being of the country.
players in the maritime sector have a role to play to continue to bring to
government’s attention, the capacity of the sector to generate jobs, revenues
and well-being of the country.
“We
must call the attention of policy makers to the big opportunities available in
the industry. It is a big challenge,’’ he said.
must call the attention of policy makers to the big opportunities available in
the industry. It is a big challenge,’’ he said.
On
the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Agbakoba said that stakeholders must
address the constraints of disbursement.
the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Agbakoba said that stakeholders must
address the constraints of disbursement.
He
remarked that funding was required to help the industry to grow, adding that
workable ideas were required to boost local content and cabotage
administration.
remarked that funding was required to help the industry to grow, adding that
workable ideas were required to boost local content and cabotage
administration.
