The Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC) has advised the Federal Government to intervene and resuscitate a national carrier status for the country as part of measures to boost the shipping development and revenue profile of the nation.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Emmanuel Jime, made this known in a paper presentation delivered by the Director, Strategic Planning and Research, NSC, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose at a meeting with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday in Lagos.
He reiterated that the establishment of National Fleet would engender a lot of benefits to the sector as well as the national economy.
The Executive Secretary maintained that the revamping of a national shipping line would boost the revenue profile of the new Ministry and further create job opportunities for Nigerians, saying that the fleet would increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in excess of $5.42 billion annually.
According to him, the creation of a national fleet would further enhance the marine and blue economy potentials adding that the proposed fleets when refloated will address issues of low tonnage, lull in revenue generation of the government and job losses.
On gains of the national carrier status for the nation’s maritime sector, Jime further explained that the resuscitation of such fleets would boost freight revenue and harness the benefits of the blue economy, which would generate billions of dollars to the coffers of the federal government.
Jime pointed out that:” The next one is the establishment of a national fleet, Minister we are adding the minister of Marine and Blue Economy. The proposed fleets if fully created will address low tonnage capacity, loss of jobs, and loss of freight earnings.
“The national fleet when implemented will bring the following benefits; over 5.2 billion dollars will be expected to be added to the gross domestic product GDP and over 1 billion dollar direct investment will be recorded if harnessed.”
“Matters requiring urgent attention. For us in the Council, we would appreciate it if your office would help us to look at the establishment of a National Fleet.
“The federal government appointed the Shippers’ Council as the secretariat of the National Fleet Implementation Committee while the Executive Secretary/CEO is the Chairman.
“The proposed fleet if done, is expected to address the following challenges of loss of job, loss of freight earning and others.
“The National Fleet brings over $5. 42 billion is expected to be added to the Gross Domestic Product, $1.62 billion accruable to the government from Corporate Income Tax through the Joint Venture Company (JVC).
“Over 1 billion foreign direct investment would come into our economy but most importantly, we will have 9.1 billion in state revenue.
“We look forward to Nigeria having its own fleet so that we can harness these benefits.”
“Suffice to say that prior to now, the Shippers’ Council was not included in the concession agreement and it is recognized as port economic Regulator in that arrangement.
On the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM), he maintained that the Council has been able to intervene for Shippers’ saving them up to N5 4 billion within two years.
