Africa Press-Nigeria:
THE maritime industry plans to grow its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from N1.9 trillion to N7 trillion yearly, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, has said.
The industry was promoted to increase its contribution to the GDP following the impact of the corona virus pandemic and the drop in the accruals from crude oil sales.
Bello, however, warned that the Council would revoke the licences of dormant Inland Container Depots (ICDs) otherwise known as dry ports.
He said the country has vast coastline and huge natural resources that could be tapped, processed and exported via the seaports to boost the country’s foreign exchange (forex) in addition to being a regional maritime super power.
Bello said the government has approved the modernisation of the ports to reduce “clearance cost, cargo dwell time and, ultimately, make them more globally competitive.
‘’We have been too glued to crude oil as if it won’t dry up. Now, the value is down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nigeria has robust maritime endowments that can buoy the economy if well harnessed. Currently, we’re doing between N1.9 and N2 trillion contribution to the GDP but our target is N7 trillion.”
To achieve this, Bello said the government has started moderning the ports and that it is targeting 90 per cent of their digitilisation by next march.
