Lagos – A maritime lawyer, Mr Osuala Nwagbara, has called on the Federal Government to enact laws that will promote both indigenous and international shipping.
Nwagbara made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
“Nigeria needs the kind of laws that will promote indigenous shipping in the true sense of it.
“I am not talking about cabotage; indigenous shipping goes beyond that; indigenous shipping would go beyond cabotage.
“How do you promote Nigerian-built ship, Nigerian-manned ship, Nigerian-owned ship?
“How do you promote the acquisition of that ship beyond `I will give you money’. Nobody gives money these days.
“We need laws that will promote the establishment of shipyards in Nigeria by giving incentives; by giving tax holidays.
“You have such laws in the Philippines, where companies abroad are attracted into Philippines. They set up industries. They give tax holidays and monitor them.
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“We need laws that will promote international shipping. International shipping will involve building ships that we cannot build here, abroad and using them to trade world-wide.“
The maritime lawyer also said that, when enacted, such laws should provide sanctions for lawbreakers to ensure strict adherence to the laws guiding shipping.
Nwagbara underscored the need for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to work closely and come up with the appropriate laws. (NAN)
OHA/AJA/YEE
