Eromosele Abiodun
The Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye has stated that proceeds from the maritime sector is vital to the growth of the Nigerian economy and sustainable development of the economy.
He stated this at the conference of professional Women in the Maritime and Port sector of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) holding in Lagos.
Adesoye charged PMAWCA members to brace up and contribute most meaningfully towards Nation building in order that, ‘we join the committee of Port Nations in entrusting international best practices’.
In his goodwill message, Adesoye stated that the variables accruable from the dividends from the maritime sub-sector are critical instrument that could be utilised in nation building.
He opined that all efforts in all activities in the maritime subsector should be geared towards the generation of greater revenue in order to impact positively on the economy.
According to him, the place of greater operational efficiency in maritime operations cannot be over emphasised thus, the need to strive to always do more at all times.
He charged the women maritime professionals to stand up and be counted in this regard.
Similarly, the chairman enjoined participants at the conference to create more opportunities for others in their fold to be educated and be prepared for taking up challenges in the sub sector. He said this is another avenue abound in order to stimulate the Economy to growth.
Capacity building, Adesoye affirmed, is a variable critical tool for growth across board whilst admonishing participants to encourage themselves in the areas of career growth. He added the most effective way of achieving this is by being conscientious at work and diligent at duties.
He called on female professionals in the subsector to synergize with the multiplicity of groups and professional bodies towards synthesizing effectively new trends in technology and innovation aimed at the development of the country and the subregion at large.
On her part, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman called on professionals in the maritime subsector to invest more in themselves in order to be indispensable in their field of endeavors.
She pointed out that the maritime and port activities in the subregion is beset with myriad of challenges ranging from decay in infrastructure to low capacity utilization, corruption, insecurity and other inefficiencies and enjoined women in the sector to initiate actions that will turn these situation for the better in the sector and to the benefit of the sub region.
While asking for increased opportunities for women in the sector, she said: “Women sure need to have more opportunities in the sector given that only 2 per cent of the world’s Maritime workforce is made up of women, according to 2015 research by the International Transport Workers Federation.â€
She called on delegates to fashion out ways in which women can collectively contribute to effect the much needed change in the maritime sub-sector and the nation in general.
In their goodwill messages, the General Coordinator of Professional Women in Ports and Maritime Sector, Mrs. Adanlete Lawson and PMAWCA Secretary General, Mr. Michael Lueguje commended the Usman for her achievements so far and for the support she has given to PMAWCA over the years.
