The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on its plan to float a new national shipping line.
The National Publicity Secretary of NAGAFF, Stanley Ezenga, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
Ezenga spoke on the occasion of the 2016 World Maritime Day with the theme: “Shipping: Indispensable to the world.”
Ezenga said the lull in shipping activities in the country was a compelling reason for the quick re-floating of national shipping line to drive the industry and restore vibrancy to the maritime sector.
Ezenga said: “We are celebrating the World Maritime Day but Nigeria, though, a maritime country, is not an active participant because the shipping industry is in comatose.
“We need the maritime sector in these difficult times because of its potential to attract forex and boost trade; and for the sector to thrive, shipping must be revived.
“Of course, a new national fleet as planned by government would drive the industry and ensure that the country would take its place in the shipping world.
“Enough of foreign shipping lines taking our crude oil and other cargoes to other countries; we can do it ourselves with a shipping line, whether wholly-owned by government or on private sector partnership arrangement.
“What is important for the government is to expedite action on the plan so that our nationalistic pride in the maritime sector is restored and the economy gets a boost.”
Ezenga advised the Federal Government to free the Cabotage Fund for ship acquisition and capacity development to revive the shipping industry.
The NAGAFF spokesman also urged the government to design and implement the right policies to attract investments in shipping toward strengthening the maritime sector.