Nigerian Shippers’ Council Advocates Refloating of National Carrier, FG Acquisition of Ships

The Nigerian Shippers Council has advocated the need for the Federal Government to re-establish a national carrier and embark on vessel acquisition as part of efforts to boost the nation’s shipping sector.
Executive Secretary of the Council, Barrister Hassan Bello made the plea during a one day oversight visit by the Senate committee on marine transport headed by former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima.
Bello said yesterday in Lagos, that there is need for the government to float a national shipping line for the maritime industry, noting that with this, the port community system will be encouraged for trade facilitation.
He told the Senators that acquisition of ships for the maritime sector is important, saying that nothing can define Nigeria as a maritime nation without a national carrier.
Bello told his guests that, “it is very important distinguish Senators that they are key economic issues which the government has to focus on and that is the acquisition ships by Nigerians”
“No matter how wide the coastline is, maybe 800,000 kilometres coastline, nothing can define us as a maritime nation without ships”
He recalled that the country in time past had vessels at its disposal, even as he urged the Senators to focus aggressively on ship acquisition for the nation’s economy growth.
The executive secretary also disclosed that the agency has received and handled 632 complaints from shippers between 2009 and 2014 as part of its statutory functions.
Also speaking Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, said that part of the visit is to ensure that issues bothering on corruption is addressed in the maritime sector.
He assured the council of attending to all its projects and to also attend programmes organised by the ports’ economic regulatory agency.
Also speaking at the meeting, a member of the committee; Kabiru Gaya assured the council that the senators will look into the request for a national carrier, pointing out that a national carrier is important to national economy growth.