By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has expressed confidence that the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) will be of immense benefits to Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Nigeria is in search of emerging a hub of maritime destination for the West and Central African region.
Peterside, who spoke in Lagos State is positive that hosting AAMA will boost the quest.
AAMA, which is currently the biggest maritime event on the continent, will assemble all the major operators in Abuja for the duration of the event.
Peterside, in a statement issued by NIMASA’s Head, Corporate Communications, Isichei Osamgbi, noted that hosting the continental event will assist in showcasing Nigeria’s maritime potentials to the maritime community in Africa.
“It will also bring about interactions, business meetings, exchange of ideas and contacts among the maritime stakeholders across Africa including those from Nigeria.
“In addition to the maritime administrations that would be attending the event other critical stakeholders such as shipping companies, terminal operators, shipping agents, freight forwarders and other sundry maritime and shipping services providers would also be in attendance and this will bring about exchange of ideas and contacts with the Nigerian stakeholders,” Peterside said.
Thirty-two countries from all parts of Africa are expected to participate at the continental conference and a number of maritime stakeholder organisations around the world.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) delegation will be led by Kitack Lim, the Secretary General of IMO, which is a United Nations specialised agency that regulates shipping globally.
“The convening of these maritime administrators in Nigeria would afford the country the opportunity of improving its economy via the maritime sector as issues such as ports development and its modernisation, maritime tourism, shipbuilding and repairs will be at the front burner of the discussions.
“Interactions among importers, exporters, shipping firms, freight forwarders and even chandelier’s, among several others will ultimately lead to increase in maritime activities in Nigeria thereby helping the country attain the desired hub port status within the sub-regions and ultimately advance the Nigerian economy,” Peterside added.
It would be recalled that the AAMA was formed, following the signing of the African Transport and Maritime Charter in 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to bring together all players in the African maritime sector.
The Association is an umbrella body of five African Maritime Stakeholders’ groups namely: Association of Maritime Administrations of Africa, Africa’s Ship Registry Forum, African Ship Owners Association, as well as Africa Shippers’ Council and Seafarers’ Forum with the aim of promoting the development of Africa’s maritime regulatory and maritime environment.
This would be the third conference of the Association.
The event, which is themed “Sustainable use of Africa’s Oceans and Seas”, will hold from April 19 to 21, 2017.
It will also feature the unveiling of the new NIMASA brand by President Muhammadu Buhari.