Women International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) has predicted that the Lekki Deep seaport will suffer some major setbacks over failure of developing intermodal transportation system connectivity for cargo evacuation.
President of WISTA in Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke made this known recently in Lagos at the 5th edition of Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference.
Ezeoke, a former Port Manager , Lagos Ports Complex , Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) , described the establishment of the new port as “placing the cart before the horse”, noting that the deep seaports cannot be developed in isolation.
She opined that a deep seaport cannot thrive without infrastructural capacity for cargo evacuation noting that the quagmires in the existing ports will befall the new port when it commences full operations.
Noting the impending logistics quagmire at the Lekki deep seaport, Ezeoke said; “Deep seaports can’t be developed in isolation. You can’t develop a deep seaport without the infrastructure for cargo evacuation and consolidation.
“Otherwise, we are setting up for problems and challenges. It is akin to putting the cart before the horse”
Continuing, the WISTA boss reiterated that “How did we get it wrong? The Ajaokuta is a vital facility to enable us build vessels in Nigeria. We have the raw materials and human capital; but we lack the political will.”
According to her, the maritime industry has the challenges of less female participation adding that gender issues still remain a major setbacks as the number of male continues to increase against the women.
Ezeoke further added that human capital development is the singular most important factor to be prioritized in Nigeria’s craving for a sustainable shipping sector.
She tasked women to discover their talents and potentials earlier in decision making of any country of the world pointing out that , they possess what it takes for the nation building.
Ezeoke urged female counterpart to wake up and take their rightful position in governance and contribute their quota in decision and policy making of the government in furtherance to build a greater nation.
Caption:
L-R: Mrs. Foluke Akinmoladun, Managing Solicitor, Trizon Law Chamber and moderator of the panel session; Emeka Akabogu, Principal Counsel, Akabogu & Associates and panelist; Barrister Funmi Folorunso, Secretary General, African Shipowners Association and panelist; Mr. Bodunrin Adewole, President, Maritime Arbitrator Centre and panelist and Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, President, Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) during the panel session at the 5th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Yaba.
By Roland Ekama
