Adelanwa Bamgboye
7 December 2006
Lagos — No fewer than 40 top executives of maritime companies in the United Kingdom have signified their intention to invest in the Nigerian maritime industry.
Their decision was informed by the window of opportunities offered by the Director General of the four-month old National Maritime Administration, Mrs Mfon Usoro while delivering a paper titled:" Port Reforms In Nigeria, Legislative Imperatives" at the Ports and Terminals Group meeting held at Great Guild Street, London.
The director general had earlier told the group that the international community was aware that Nigeria has positioned herself well in the maritime industry. Usoro explained that Nigeria would become a maritime hub in the West and Central African sub region within the next one year. She told the investors that business opportunities such as construction of terminals, jetties, inland container depots and cargo operation are available in the country.
Other opportunities she listed include ship building and ship repairs, underwater security, equipment leasing, marine insurance, maritime legal services, and manpower training among others.
Usoro assured that adequate security had been provided for investors in the new Ports and Harbour Bill which is awaiting second reading at the National Assembly.
Mr Philip Wareham ,a partner with Holman Fenwick and Willan Company said privatisation was a good thing for Nigerian ports ,adding that a lot of progress had been made in the maritime industry in Nigeria. Wareham said that his company would look into the various opportunities offered in order to explore them.
Similarly, the Chairman of African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited, Mr P K Gupta said his compa ny was interested in ferry services and other available opportunities.
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