The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, said the shipping industry, especially in developing countries, must be driven by private investors.
He disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a nineteen-member delegation from the United Republic of Tanzania to the NSC Headquarters in Lagos.
According to him, the shipping business must be driven by the private sector because of the enormity of investments there in.
Dr. Akutah, who commended Tanzania for having the intention to include private investors in their shipping industry, highlighted Nigeria’s supportive policies for private sector participation in port operations.
The Shippers’ Council boss, however, reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Tanzania’s government.
He, therefore, expressed enthusiasm about the prospects for bilateral cooperation aimed at boosting shipping activities in East Africa.
The collaboration will focus on technical support, inter-port partnerships, capacity building, and infrastructure sharing, all intended to spur growth in Tanzania’s maritime sector.
He also harped on the importance of transport connectivity in a quest to meet the maritime hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking earlier, the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Selestine Gervas Kakele, emphasised their intent to learn from Nigeria’s port economic regulatory framework, viewing the NSC as a strategic partner in developing indigenous shipping capabilities.
In his contribution, Deputy Attorney General of Tanzania, Sammel Marco Manene, said Nigeria is one of the prominent countries in West Africa that is doing credibly well in terms of trade.
According to him, Tanzania is trying to see how it can benefit from the geographical location of the country as one of the countries in Africa.
Both sides underscored the importance of sustaining and expanding the robust trade relations between Nigeria and Tanzania, with plans for further engagement and knowledge exchange to drive maritime growth across Africa.
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