Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, director general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that a strong regulatory institution is a basic requirement for the sustained development of the Maritime sector.
Akpobolokemi stated this at the 9th All Nigerian Editors Conference which took place in the Delta State capital, Asaba recently, noting that NIMASA is implementing programmes that would make the maritime sector the mainstay of the Nigerian economy in the near future.
The DG who was represented by Isichei Osamgbi, head, Public Relations, commended the Guild of Editors for choosing the theme, “Nigeria beyond oil”, the NIMASA Director General noted that it would serve as the required catalyst to diversify Nigeria’s income stream.
According to him, “it has become imperative for us as a country to immediately grow and exploit our non-oil sectors. We must all work together to ensure that all sectors of the economy are given the impetus required to fulfill their potentials and mandate. We urge you to continue to be partners in nation building by supporting the campaign for strong regulatory institutions in all sectors of our economy.”
He noted that the Asian tigers are good examples of the ability of the maritime sector to be a major contributor to a nation’s economy.
“Like the Asians, we have not only tapped into the opportunities in the entire maritime sector, we have also developed some strategic programmes to sustain the development of the Nigerian maritime sector”. he said.
The establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University, Maritime Institutes in four Nigerian universities, and a College of Maritime Studies are some of the measures listed by the director general as programmes of NIMASA to ensure that Nigeria’s maritime potentials are fully harnessed.