The newly appointed Transportation Minister, Engr Muazu Sambo says if properly harnessed, the maritime sector stands to replace oil and gas as Nigeria’s revenue earner.
He was speaking in Lagos, Friday, after inspecting ports and seaport terminals. It is recalled that this is his second official visit outside Abuja since his appointment on June 6 to replace Senator Gbemi Saraki who stood in acting capacity in the Ministry following the resignation of Hon Rotimi Amaechi.
“I personally attach importance to the maritime industry. There are billions of dollars that can be earned from the maritime industry if we get our acts right.”
The purpose of his visit to Lagos, he disclosed, is to look at the ports and the related infrastructures which are supposed to support maritime activities. He reiterated the general belief that the ports are the gateway to the nation’s economy.
“If we get our acts right, the maritime industry can replace the revenue from the oil industry. This is why we have come to see how we can support the port authorities in order to improve on their deteriorating structures,” he said.
The Minister frowned at the level of dilapidation of the quay apron of the Tincan Port and gave assurance that the reconstruction would receive priority attention.
According to him, the quay aprons of the port are getting destroyed as a result of lack of maintenance.
He said: “I have advised the management of NPA. In the past, there was what we call Programmed Preventive Maintenance. This is why at every port, we have an engineering outfit headed by the Chief Port Engineer.
“Part of his responsibility is to draw out preventive maintenance programmes for the ports under his jurisdiction every year, take it to the headquarters for consideration and approval, and that forms part of the forthcoming budget.
“If you carry out preventive maintenance, you would avoid a lot of these deterioration that is taking place. This is the truth; the sooner we accept it, the better,” he said.
Speaking further, Engr Sambo said “As you will recall, I was posted to the Federal Ministry of Transportation on the 6th of June. This is actually my second official assignment outside Abuja. I was in Kano for the Dala Inland Dry Port to declare it as a port of Origin and Destination. Today I am in Lagos, the maritime headquarters of Nigeria.”
