Amaechi says restructuring will foster economic growth

Mr Rotimi Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said on Friday that the Federal Government embarked on “restructuring various parastatal agencies to foster an economy that is robust, transparent and accountable”.

Amaechi made the statement at the inauguration of the governing boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Abuja.

“The FG in its efforts to creating an economy that is vibrant and sustainable and in line with best international practices, embarked on restructuring and repositioning various parastatals under the ministry, including the NPA and NIMASA.

“NIMASA has two broad mandates — to promote the development of indigenous commercial shipping capacity in international and coastal shipping trade.

“And, to also regulate and promote maritime safety, security, marine pollution and maritime labour.

“Your responsibilities as governing board members include setting operational administrative policies in accordance with government policy directives aimed at assisting the agency.

“To achieve its mandate, your assignment will also involve formulation of broad policies aimed at achieving the set objectives of the agency,” the minister declared.

Amaechi, however, urged the board of NIMASA to ensure that the cabotage fund was fully utilised for the right purpose and the fund properly accounted for.

The minister said that the boards were responsible for setting operational administrative policies in accordance with government’s policy directives, aimed at assisting NPA and NIMASA to achieve their mandates.

He said that they were charged with responsibilities of fulfilling the mandate of the authority to construct, develop ports, docks, harbours, piers, wharves, canals, water courses, embankment, revetment and jetties.

The Chairman of the NPA board, Mr Emmanuel Adesoye, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the board members the privilege to serve the nation.

“Indeed, the role of NPA in the industrialisation and growth of Nigeria’s economy particularly at this period of economic recession cannot be overemphasised.

“When it is realised that the maritime sector is one of the most important revenue earners after the oil sector, it behoves on our board to come up with concrete policies,” he said.

He said that the objective of the board members was to ensure that the NPA was elevated to a higher pedestal that would make it the hub of maritime business in both the west and central African sub-region.

Adesoye said the board would be collaborating with the management of the ministry of transportation to ensure speedy passage into law of the Ports and Harbour Bill at the National Assembly.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the NIMASA board, Mr Jonathan Garba , said that the board members would work together to achieve the objectives of setting up NIMASA.

He said that they would review the operations of the Maritime Security Implementation and Regulatory Agency and other critical issues to actualize the mandate of NIMASA.

Garba said that they would also work diligently to ensure compliance with extant laws to achieve the president’s vision and mandate of accountability.

Members of the governing board of NPA and NIMASA were appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Aug. 26.

Other members of the NPA board are Olasupo Shasore, Suleiman Halilu, Constance Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu and Charles Sylvester.

The other members are Hadiza Usman, Mohammed Koko, Sekonte Davis, Idris Abubakar and Uche Okoro.

Members of the NIMASA board are Adeniyi Osinowo, Bashir Jamoh, Joseph Fashakin, Gambo Ahmed, Asekomhe Kenneth and Mohammed Muazu.

Other members are Ebele Obi, S. U. Galadanchi, Nene Dike and Dakuku Peterside.