Contrary to the advice in some quarters that the Federal Government should reduce the number of states currently pushing for the construction of deep sea ports, maritime industry expert and Chairman of Ports Consultative Council (PCC) Otunba Kunle Folarin has said that eight Nigerian states have the capacity for deep seaports.
Folarin stated this in Apapa Lagos yesterday while delivering a paper on 'harnessing the Nigerian Maritime potential in order to get Nigeria's economy out of recession' at the 5th Anniversary and Programme Re-launch of Port Gist and Events on TV.
Even though he did not name the states, Folarin said that "within the Nigerian coastline, eight states are directly on the Atlantic, in other words, it is possible to create eight deep seaports from these states on the Atlantic Ocean"
According to the maritime expert, the Maritime Domain of Nigeria is the largest in the African Continental shelf and possesses the longest coastline within the Gulf of Guinea.
"Nigeria territorial water is 12 Nautical Miles with an Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 Nautical miles, eight littoral states which share boarders with the Atlantic sea providing the base for deep Sea ports and Maritime Industrial development"
"Within the inland terrain, there is over 572 Kilometres of navigable waterways with Creeks, tributaries and lakes creating additional 1000 kilometres of water lanes for marine logistics to enhance commercial and social interaction within the riverine communities"
"Crude oil and gas resources which are the principal revenue generating products of the economy depend on marine transportation from the Ports along the coastline that provide shelter and anchor for the numerous ships that load the products to foreign Countries. It is therefore valid to conclude that Maritime infrastructure is the key drawer of the Economy"
"A deep seaport with natural deep draught is therefore critical to this development" he said.
Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Ms Hadiza Bala Usman commended the organisers of ports Gist and Events on TV under its Chairman, Dr. Kayode Farinto for their doggedness in the past five years in using the mass media to develop Nigerian ports.
Hadiza who was represented by the General Manager Western Ports, Mr. Gbadamosi Abiodun urged all port operators to be patriotic by continuously engaging the government on how to harness and move the port industry forward.
In his welcome address, Dr. Farinto Kayode, Chairman of Port Gist and Events said that the company has spent in more than N65million to keep the television programme and magazine of the outfit going.
He however lamented that licensed customs agents who are the target audience of the television programme have failed to show interest of encourage the programme.
News of the death of its president notwithstanding, Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Dr. Boniface Aniebonam in a goodwill message called on all stakeholders to support Farinto financially.
On his part, National President of ANLCA, Prince Olaykwola Shittu reiterates that the association is still bent on carrying out its threat to shut down the ports in the next 21 days after the ultimatum it had issued to the Federal Government elapses.
The second lecture of the day was delivered by former president of NAGAFF, Dr. Eugene Nweke.
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