We are positioning maritime sector to lead our economic diversification- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said ‎the federal government’s sweeping reforms in the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA),is geared towards positioning it to lead the government’s economic diversification exercise.

‎President Buhari made the disclosure at the Book launch of a book titled,”Harnessing Nigeria’s Martime Assets-Past Present and Future” authored by Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration in NIMASA.

‎Represented by Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi,the Minister of Transportation,the President charged the Maritime sector to utilise lessons learnt in the book to diversify the economic base of the nation and attract more funds to the federal government.

The President further lauded the author for documenting his knowledge in the sector,‎while calling NIMASA as an agency of government to ensure proper implementation of key suggestions in the book for more revenue generation in the sector.

‎In his earlier remarks,Lai Mohammed,the Minister of Information at the event praised the initiative of the author in making key suggestions to the government on ways of generating more money into the government coffers in his documentary.

Further in his remarks at the launch,Tukur Buaratai,the Chief of Army Staff said the book also offers useful suggestions on ways of working hand in hand with the Navy on how to safeguarding Nigerian territorial boundaries and inland waterways.

Chris Asoluka,the book reviewer remarked that the book points out to gross underutilisation of the abundant maritme sector.

“At the moment,there is gross underutilisation of these abundant maritme assets”,while also suggesting to the government on the need for the government to recognise this fact and set up a Maritime Coordinating Committee to develop a policy framework for harnessing these assets.

“The Author suggested an Integrated Marine Plan for Nigeria.Given the socio-political milieu and the key challenges besetting the growth of the maritime sector,the creation of ocean wealth, through new thinking,new approaches to be known as ‘Blue Economy’ he said.

HARRISON EDEH, ABUJA