The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the federal government to create a maritime ministry that would function separately from transportation , as part of measures to grow the shipping sub sector for optimal performance and wealth creation.
The association also reiterated that just as the aviation industry was carved out of the transportation ministry, the maritime sector has huge potentials untapped if allowed to perform on it own with technocrats put in place to run its affairs.
Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos, Vice President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Collins Farinto ,noted that the industry has what it takes to provide millions of jobs for Nigerian youths only if more attention and resources can be channeled to it.
Farinto who expressed worries over the kick off date of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) stressed the need for the government to create a department that will be responsible to run the affairs effectively, in order to favourably compete with other countries in the sub region.
He lamented that the Nigerian government has failed to show commitment towards the actualisation of AfCFTA ,which according to him, would be of great advantage to the country if properly managed.
According to him, the Minister of Transportation,Mr. Rotimi Ameachi focused mostly on the railway sub sector, thus little attention was given to maritime industry,which in turn led to some setbacks.
He noted that with the scope of transportation ministry , maritime has not attained the set goals in the last four years of the Buhari led administration, hence the treasures of the seas are yet untapped.
He appealed for government to subject the creation of Maritime Ministry to public hearing .
Harping on the need to create a ministry of maritime , the Vice President called on the government to focus and divert her attention to marine operations , as the oil and gas industry has failed to create the desired wealth expected due to the dwindling and staggering fortunes of the oil prices globally.
Farinto who is also a governing council member of the Council for the Regulations of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) ,stressed that “It is high time the government stopped lumping maritime with transportation ministry. If we create a maritime ministry then I can tell you that even this Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) can thrive under this ministry.
“There are grey areas which are not properly harnessed in the maritime sector because of lack of concentration from government but if the government can allow maritime to stand on its own with the relevant agencies, departments and parastatals strengthened, I can tell you that in one year things about the shipping and marine operations will change .
He also tasked the government to be deeply involve and focus on maritime infrastructure saying, amenities in the industry have gone dilapidated.
On the recently concluded ANLCA board election, he maintained that the association has amended some section of its constitution .
He said the amendment includes the introduction of arbitration panel whereby members can air their grievances about the association rather than seek court injunction .
The Vice President called on aggrieved members of the association to embrace peace and shun any form rancour that would further launder the image and brand of ANLCA.
Farinto who also doubles as the Managing Director , Wealthy Honey Investment Nigeria Limited also accused the Federal Ministry of Works, in charge of the ongoing road construction within the port corridors over failure to synergize with key stakeholders of the maritime industry in furtherance to expedite the completion of the road and allow free flow of consignments.
By Roland Ekama
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