Ship owners clamour for lifting of crude oil

The Chairperson of Nigeria Ship Owners Forum, Mrs Margret Orakwusi, has stressed on the need for indigenous shippers’ participation in the transportation of the nation’s crude oil.
Orakwusi, said that the involvement of the Nigerian shippers in the lifting of the nation’s crude oil, the main stay of the economy, would help halt capital flight and create more jobs in the system.
The forum Chairperson made the demand on the in an interview she granted at a maritime lecture in Lagos.
She said foreign dominance in the crude oil lifting was not in the best interest of the nation.
According to her, the impression that indigenous operators lack the capacity was a ploy to keep them away from the mainstream of the nation’s economy.
“We are encouraging the creation of jobs, and in some cases, exporting jobs to other countries.
“It is like someone not given the opportunity to work and horn his or her skills.
“We are collectively losing our wealth to foreigners while our people languish in wants of that which is rightfully theirs,” she said.
She appealed to the Federal Government to create enabling environment and give waivers for indigenous participation.
Orakwusi, who demanded for the creation of the Ministry of Maritime, said matters regarding the sector prompt development was not being well attended to under the Ministry Transport.
She added that a separate ministry would chart a pragmatic development steps that would enable the experts in the industry enroll in the international trade, saying that if Nigeria is a maritime nation that it should emulate other maritime countries by having Ministry of Maritime.