By Roland Ekama
Stakeholders on Thursday, faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over failure to support the growth and development of both the maritime and automobile industries.
The operators lamented that both sectors have suffered setbacks since the exit of former President Goodluck Jonathan who had policies in place to revamping these industries.
Speaking at the second edition of the Nigerian Auto Marine Conference and Exhibition (NAMAC Expo) 2.0, held in Lagos, the Managing Director, Sovereign Gate International Limited, Mr Ralph Agbogu, called on President Buhari to encourage both industries with friendly policies.
He maintained that the last administration of the President had no plans for the two key sectors adding that dialogue with the stakeholders would be key to boost the nation’s economy.
Agbogu who doubles as the Public Relations Officer, National Council of Managing Director Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA),pointed that reduction of duty and levies on imported vehicles would discourage smuggling , calling on the Nigeria Customs Service to further engage the government on the way forward.
He argued that :”Government needs to improve on its policies as regards these two key industries, tackle the issue of gridlock along the port access roads and pit in place policies to encourage trade.
“This government has not done much in respect to the automobile industry . The government needs to consult stakeholders on the industry because during the previous administration there was improvement in the sector but all of a sudden no one heard about assembled plants and this has made smuggling to thrive.
Also ,the Managing Director, Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), Mr. Ismail Yusuf lamented that poor environment and traffic pose serious danger to the maritime industry.
Yusuf who was represented by Head ICT ,ICNL, Mr. Abiodun Lawal called on the government to bail out the automobile companies operating in the country.
On the state of maritime operations, he noted that the seaports should be a restricted economic zone and should be exclusive for port operations thus not for residential purposes.
He added that installation of multi modal concept and infrastructural development should be encouraged.
In his opening remarks, Convener of the event ,James Shodiya noted that NAMAC expo is a platform for two key industries that drives the nation’s economy.
Shodiya affirmed :”You will quite agree with me that any nation who toils with its maritime and automobile sectors is planning to crumble its economy.
“The reason is because the maritime industry is not just the gateway to the nation’s economy, its the bedrock to Nigeria’s GDP and the automobile sector on the other hand is the life wire for total transport logistics supply chain management.
“So our aim is to connect these two critical stakeholders together under the canopy to discuss matter of national interest while charting the way for business to thrive,” Shodiya added.
