Maritime
Maritime stakeholders charge FG on maximising gains of AFCFTA through inland waterways
Maritime stakeholders charge FG on maximising gains of AFCFTA through inland waterways
Critical stakeholders in the maritime industry have called in the federal government to clear the inland waterways of debrus and clogs that can hamper smooth operations in the sub-sector to maximise the gains of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The stakeholders which include university lecturers, maritime academy students, government agencies representatives, ship owners as well as private sector drivers, maintained that for government to enjoy the gains of the sector, inland waterways need to be cleared.
They believe that for Nigeria to take full advantage of the Agreement, there is need to clear the clogs in the waterways to be able to tap the potentials therein.
In an 18 point communique at a one day seminar for Nigerian Maritime students and youths, the maritime eggheads also charged Nigerian cadets to upgrade themselves in tune with global dictates if they want to measure up with global standards and be acceptable by other maritime nations across the globe.
They maintained that to catch up with global trends, with the increasing impact of climate change in shipping, Nigerian cadets should also consider undertaking trainings in the aspects of marine environment protection.
They said that failure to understand and equip themselves for knowledge of the industry, the future of their careers remain bleak.
As part of the communique, that also agreed that as Nigeria works towards harnessing sustainable blue economy, operators across board must show utmost respect for the marine environment to make it free from pollution.
They condemned the magical pipeline through which some captains eliminate oil wastes from their vessels while urging relevant government agencies and ship surveyors to always look out for traces of oil wastes so as to address the problem.
On catching up with global trends, they maintained that given the increasing impact of climate change in shipping, Nigerian cadets should also consider undertaking trainings in the aspects of marine environment protection.
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