Steel sector viability will boost local production of vessels—FG

The Federal Government says the viability of the steel sector will enable the country to build local vessels.

Dakuku Peterside, director-general/CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said this weekend in Lagos, while fielding questions from journalists.

According to Peterside, there is no way Nigeria will be competitive in this area when aluminium and steel, which are key components, are still imported, given the worrisome state of the steel sector.

“We are not going to be competitive and people will go and buy where it will be cheaper. This is just a business decision. We want a virile steel so that it will be cheaper and competitive,” he said at the a forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Financial Derivatives Company weekend in Lagos.

He expressed happiness with the current moves by the minister of mines and steel to revive the sector.

The NIMASSA boss said ports are no longer going to pose difficulties to the business community, stressing that there is now a standard operating procedure for all actors at the ports, which enables everybody to know what the key players are doing.

He said the ministry of transport is promoting the Single Window project, which will reduce contact with human beings at the ports.

“It means you can pay your charges online. Government is working to reduce the tuirnaround for vessels.  We are working towards a 48-hour turn around time,” he said.

Jumoke Oduwole, senior special assistant to the vice president on industry, trade and investment, said to achieve diversification objectives, it is imperative that the countrry improves the administration of the ports, which serve as the point of entry of much needed raw materials and machineries for any industrialisation efforts, as well as point of exits for the exportation of manufactured goods and agricultural produce.

Oduwole said the Federal Government is relentless in its goal of removing the obstacles and roadblocks that have long bedevilled commercial activity in Nigeria.

ODINAKA ANUDU