National Assembly Projects 20% Maritime Contribution To GDP

The National Assembly said it is targeting a 20 per cent contribution of the maritime sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2024.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Shipping Services, Abdussamad Dasuki, stated this in Lagos at a special performance retreat organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

The retreat was themed ‘Strengthening Economic Regulation of the Marine and Blue Economy’.

Speaking at the event, Dasuki said that the sector, which was expected to deliver nothing less than 20 per cent, was currently contributing less than one per cent.

He promised that everything that needed to be done to change the narrative would be done accordingly.

“As the chairman overseeing NSC, we are going to be partners in progress to do all that is expected from you as the regulator of this important sector. On that note, I would highlight to you that even before the new executive secretary resumed office, I had championed having important backup law regulating this important agency.

“We are going to fast-track that law and make sure you have legal backing to do what is expected of you. Part of what we are to discuss is to know how to strengthen economic regulation of the Marine and Blue Economy. We should have a Nigerian Shipping Commission Council,” he added.

In his Opening remarks, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Akutah Ukeyima, said that the council had long been at the forefront of catalysing innovation, championing progress, and navigating the dynamic waters of global trade.

“As we gather here today, we are embarking on a collective endeavour that holds profound significance for the future of our nation’s economic landscape.

“Today’s retreat marks not just a gathering of minds but a strategic convergence of wisdom, expertise, and foresight. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping a future where the marine and blue economy sector becomes a beacon of sustainable development and prosperity,” he said.

According to him, the focus of the council on economic regulation underscores a profound understanding that effective governance, equitable practices, and strategic policies serve as the bedrock for fostering a thriving blue economy.

Olusola Akintonde/Punch