*Moves to formulate policy document for economic growth
Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — The Federal Government yesterday said that it is poised to formulate a National Maritime Transport Policy NMTP, with a view to enhancing the growth of the nation’s economy.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Dr. Magdalene Ajani said that Maritime transportation has proven to be one of the critical factors of development at the heart of economic growth and prosperity adding that it serves as an input into every other industry.
Ajani also stated that despite the existence of number of strategies and associate policies relevant to the governance of the nation’s maritime environment, there is no all-encompassing policy at the national level to holistically address the challenges in the maritime sector.
She said: “There is hardly any segment of an economy that can do without the maritime transportation sector especially considering its role in bringing needed materials for economic activities in a nation.
“An inadequate/ineffective maritime transportation system generates high cost and low customer service levels, which ultimately produces a negative economic impact.
“The current challenges in the sector informed the present administration to embark on developing an all encompassing and all-inclusive National Maritime Transport Policy that will stand the test of time and foster a robust maritime industry that will guarantee sustainable socio-economic development of the country.
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“Furthermore, in line with international best practices, it is important to adopt an integrated modern approach taking into consideration the relevant international and regional treaties, Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, national laws and priorities required to meet the needs of the current realities in the maritime sector of the country.
“The key goal is to actualize a safe, secure, clean, internationally and domestically competitive maritime sector.
“The expected outcome of this gathering is a modern, efficient and sustainable maritime and logistics transportation system devoid of congestions, environmental pollution, insecurity, low customer service levels and other administrative logistics inadequacies
“It is important for us to work collectively towards developing a seamless system that change the narratives of the Nigeria’s transportation system from a relatively unproductive one to a more productive entity.”
