Nigeria needs ship funding to compete globally, says shipping council

NIGERIA needs state ship funding to support the country's shipping sector through modern vessels and lifting of crude oil and petroleum products, said shipping council.

At the fifth Nigeria International Maritime Ports and Terminals Conference and Expo, the Nigeria Shippers' Council executive secretary Adamu Biu called for a budget allocation to encourage growth started by port reform programmes in 2006-2011 which increased vessel calls many times.

"Similarly, the cargo throughput increased from 46,150,518 tonnes in 2006 to 82,763,384 tonnes in 2011," said Captain Biu, reported the Nigeria Guardian.

"Bearing in mind that Nigeria generates more than 60 per cent of the cargo throughout West and Central Africa vis-a-vis her large population and extensive coastal line, it is imperative that shipping should contribute reasonably to the growth of the national economy."

A first step is in the enforced payment of all ocean-going vessels doing business in Nigerian waters by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in part to fund the cleanup of polluted Nigerian waters, said its director-general Patrick Akpobolokemi.

"The new rule will be known as the sea protection levy regulation, wherein regardless of who pollutes the water," he added to regulate rubbish dumping in waters, ships generated waste and build-up of seaweeds.