10th December, 2010
Chief Executive Officer of Ships and Ports Communication Company, Mr Bolaji Akinola, says that after 50 years of independence, Nigerians have not derived the best of values from the maritime sector.
Mr. Akinola said this during the 4th Annual National Essay Competition organised by the company.
Speaking on the topic of the essay, How Has The Maritime Industry Performed In The Last Fifty Years, he noted that there is little local value added in the oil industry as Nigeria merely exports her crude and natural gas.
“The nation imports refined petroleum products for virtually all its domestic requirements. As if that is not enough, Nigerians do not participate in shipping the nation’s imports or exports. It is a double jeopardy.
“Policies to increase local content are bedevilled by controversy and insincerity on the part of the agencies saddled with the responsibilities of implementation and the appalling unwillingness of the of the oil majors to patronise services rendered by Nigerian shipping firms†Akinola said.
He added that Nigerians have not exploit the enduring gains inherent in the shipping sector, while policies have failed to promote development along the growth.
In his address, the chairman of the event, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Captain Adamu Biu, also lamented that the maritime industry has not been exploited by the nation, saying , individuals with the requisite knowledge are not encouraged to take appointments in Nigerian maritime training institutions, especially the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN).
At the prize presentation ceremony, some of the winners include Princess Vicky Haastrup, who won the Prize for Originality with a laptop donated by Micura Services Limited; Mr. Adeleye Ajayi and Miss Munachinno U Anyanwu, who were awarded Sifax Prize for Creativity and were given a laptop each; Miss Blessing Josephine Ossai and Mr. Chisomaga Opara- Eronini, who the Late Dr. Bassey Ekong Prize for Outstanding Essay and Late Engineer Festus Ugwu Prize for Outstanding Essay respectively.
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