The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC); Mr Hassan Bello has disclosed that the country spent about US$9billion as freight on wet and dry cargo last year.
Speaking during the ‘Day of Seafarers’ celebration in Lagos on Tuesday, Bello said Nigeria spent such humongous amount because the nation does not have a national fleet. The International Day of the Seafarer is celebrated each year on June 25.
Bello however lamented that only about two percent of the world seafarers are women, even as he called for more participation of women in seafaring.
He noted that, “we have to celebrate the men and women who have ensured that global trade is carried out effectively and this is commendable”.
"Section 17 of the Nigerian constitution states that every citizens should have equal right before the law, despite this catalytic provision, it has not been easy for women to fight gender discrimination.
On the huge cost of freighting, he said: "Nigeria currently spent $9billion dollars as freight on dry and wet cargo last year, imagine if we have national fleet, this amount would have been saved, which will also translate to more sea time for our seafarers”, he told the large gathering of maritime and allied sector stakeholders.
He identified isolation of women, bullying, hostility, gender discrimination, unequal pay, work-life balance, lack of information and sexual harassment, among others factors that have reduced women participation in seafaring.
Speaking also, the first Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, who led the campaign on women participation in maritime sector, said the goal is line with the Federal Government agenda on job creation and would be pursued vigorously.
The first lady who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, lauded NIMASA for the capacity enhancement and training opportunities given to the women under its Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
According to her, the 2019 International Seafarers Day seeks to address issues of women empowerment, eliminate discrimination among women and help them to progress in their chosen career.
She said: “As the world marks the ninth edition of this global celebration, there is a very strong emphasis in the maritime community on the watch and importance of women within the industry.
“This is with the intention of not only highlighting and appreciating the contributions that they are already making within the industry but also to encourage more women to take up careers in seafaring and in other sub-sectors of the maritime industry.
“In addition, to draw attention to the issues of women empowerment, the need to erase various forms of discrimination against women in terms of employment as well as career progression,” she said.
“Mr President is desirous of seeing more women play active role in the maritime sector and other industries,” she said.
She called on all government agencies especially in the maritime sector to ensure the achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goal 5, which is aimed at attaining gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The World Day of the Seafarers 2019 was organised by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Speaking earlier, the Director-General NIMASA; Dr Dakuku Peterside, urged the men to continue to support women to have a place of pride in maritime operations.
He stressed the need to eliminate various forms of discrimination against women in terms of employment as well as career progression, and the importance of government to develop policies that lead to equal opportunity and fair treatment of women.
He said the agency would continue to pursue policies and programmes that would accelerate gender equality and empowerment of women in maritime sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation; Sabiu Zakari, said there was need for policy review in other to ensure equal representation in the sector.
According to him, "the nation needs gender friendly policies that would promote training, equal pay, improved welfare and detest discrimination in other to have more women contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product through the maritime sector.
He said the Federal Government is committed to having women play full and equal participation in business, politics and all the national life.
He noted that the government is working assiduously to tackle the prevailing security challenges on Nigerian waters.
Speaking also, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, said gender equality is a global phenomenon, but Nigeria is forging ahead to bridge the gap with more favourable policies that have spurred their participation in the sector.
Usman, who was represented by the Director, Marine and Operations; Dr Sekonte Davies, said, “We must give our citizens irrespective of the gender, their deserved place in growing the national economy.”
She called for more encouragement for girls to study maritime-related courses that would enable them to take career in the maritime sector.
Usman enjoined other agencies to create a working condition that would encourage women (during and after childbirth), adding that the NPA has increased the maternity leave from 12 weeks to 16 weeks.
Dignities at the event include the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari; Chairman, Governing Board of NIMASA, General Jonathan Garba; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas.
Others include the Chief Executive Officer of the Shippers Council, Bello Hassan; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman, the wife of immediate past Transportation Minister, Judith Amaechi; the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Ifedua among others.
June 25 is a day set annually by the International Maritime Organisation to mark the International Day of the Seafarers.
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