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President Bola Tinubu’s new ministry – the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, is a redirection from an oil driven economy to a to a non-oil multi trillion naira global economy, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Akutah Ukeyima, said yesterday.
The shippers council executive scribe made this known when he met with major stakeholders of the council in an interactive session held at Bristol Palace, Kano.
While in the ancient northern commercial city, he visited Dala Inland Dry Port for firsthand inspection before he had the interactive session and dinner with shippers of the region.
Akutah’s meeting with shippers of the northwestern states was his first since he assumed office.
The interactive session with the shippers was to hear their concerns and challenges and cross fertilize ideas on how to tackle the challenges.
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“The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, has redirected the country of Nigeria to a non-oil sector by creating the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
“This ministry is saddled with the responsibility of, not only bringing up policies that will reshape the marine sector in Nigeria, but to see how Nigeria can also participate in the blue economy, which is a multi-trillion naira global economy, and see how we can grow our national Gross Domestic Products (GDP),” he said.
Akutah, a consummate lawyer, said: “This is my first visit to the northwest zone to interact with them since I assumed office as the CEO of Nigeria Shippers Council, and a lot of things are happening here in terms of trade so I did this thing (visit) to facilitate trade.
“I have listened to them and we rubbed minds on so many issues; we interacted on many issues and aspects that concern them in this zone and we now have some takeaways so that when we go back we shall work on those aspects.
“We need to also collaborate with other agencies that work within this sector to see that we promote the ease of doing business. The essence of our agencies put together is to ensure that business is moving without problems,” he said.
Speaking on the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, he said the port is one of the critical transport infrastructures that have been developed to service the people of the region and ease congestion at the sea ports.
He urged all northerners to encourage those operating the inland dry ports to publicise them to make ensure people use them.
He also announces that the rail line from Kano to Lagos is already opened with a lot of business activities.
He said: “Two weeks ago, we signed an MoU with the MD of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and one of the things he mentioned to us was that they are looking for cargoes.
“And it is our duty to ensure that shippers within this area and beyond know that this facility is here and it’s for them to use and promote it. We also believe that even neighbouring countries around here will be able to use this facility to promote it more -for the purpose it has been provided.”
Barr Akutah Ukeyima noted that Kano is one of the most important locations for the Nigerian Shippers Council in terms of trade activities, which is while the zonal office is located in Kano.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has set up the ministry of marine and blue economy. The whole idea is to promote trade activities and build economy from the sector. And not only trade, but to go into the blue economy, which is the global economy to see how Nigeria can also tap into that economy.
“Blue economy is not just meant for the blue sea; the people of Kano can also experience the blue economy, so there are a lot of opportunities coming up in that sector for businesses, jobs and wealth creation for Nigerians to take advantage of that.
“So, the whole idea of the blue economy is to see how Nigeria can tap into that global economy of the blue marines to see what Nigeria can get out of that, and I encourage everyone to bye into this President Bola Tinubu’s vision. Let us move way, this time around, from dependency purely on oil and see what we can do with blue economy.”
Welcoming Ukeyima to Kano, Director of the council, Northwest zone, Hajia Karimatu Othman, said the ES’ visit gives them hope and motivation to continue to work hard towards the mandate given to them.
“And we are confident that your visit will help in solving the conflict between the shippers at home and the importers abroad and will also help us in discharging our duties more effectively to the benefit of our stakeholders.”
She commended Ukeyima for the recent MoU signed with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, which she said, will improve efficiency in port operations and reduce unnecessary delays faced by shippers in the north.
“To the invited guests, the main purpose for organising this engagement forum is to give you the opportunity to meet with our executive secretary and other leaders of the council, rub minds, discuss issues of common interest, identify your challenges and look up to possible ways of intervention by the council,” she said.
She added that the zonal council was open to suggestions and ways of improvement, as it was already working towards advancing its services.
In Kaduna, Ukeyima called for resolution of legal and operational issues hindering the smooth running of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
He spoke during his working visit to Kaduna Dry Port and explained that the visit was to ensure the port effectively meets the needs of shippers to resolve any issues hindering its full operation.
Ukeyima identified several challenges impacting the port’s efficiency, with a notable concern being the pending legal framework regarding liability.
He emphasized the need to expedite legislative processes, stating: “We need to fast-track that,” to overcome this obstacle.
He highlighted the directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to resolve the issues promptly.
He said: “We have a duty to ensure that the bill pending before the National Assembly is passed within record time.”
Ukeyima stressed the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders and regulatory bodies, including Customs, to support the port’s optimal operation.
Managing Director, Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Mr. Omotayo Dada, confirmed that the port is operational and ready to assist shippers.
Dada expressed satisfaction with the government’s and regulatory agencies’ support and shared confidence in the port’s capacity to expand its operations.
“The truth of the matter is that the port has the capacity to do much more than it is currently doing; with the support from the NSC and ongoing discussions, there is no doubt that many good things are on the horizon,” Dada noted.
Dada assured that the port is well-equipped for business, boasting facilities such as cold rooms and laboratories. “We have cold rooms, laboratories, and much more. We are a port ready for business,” he emphasized.
The Kaduna Inland Dry Port remains dedicated to engaging with stakeholders and streamlining processes to facilitate trade and enhance business operations.
President Bola Tinubu’s new ministry -the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, is a redirection from an oil driven economy to a to a non-oil multi trillion naira global economy, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Akutah Ukeyima, said yesterday.
The shippers council executive scribe made this known when he met with major stakeholders of the council in an interactive session held at Bristol Palace, Kano.
While in the ancient northern commercial city, he visited Dala Inland Dry Port for firsthand inspection before he had the interactive session and dinner with shippers of the region.
Akutah’s meeting with shippers of the northwestern states was his first since he assumed office.
The interactive session with the shippers was to hear their concerns and challenges and cross fertilize ideas on how to tackle the challenges.
“The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, has redirected the country of Nigeria to a non-oil sector by creating the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
“This ministry is saddled with the responsibility of, not only bringing up policies that will reshape the marine sector in Nigeria, but to see how Nigeria can also participate in the blue economy, which is a multi-trillion naira global economy, and see how we can grow our national Gross Domestic Products (GDP),” he said.
Akutah, a consummate lawyer, said: “This is my first visit to the northwest zone to interact with them since I assumed office as the CEO of Nigeria Shippers Council, and a lot of things are happening here in terms of trade so I did this thing (visit) to facilitate trade.
“I have listened to them and we rubbed minds on so many issues; we interacted on many issues and aspects that concern them in this zone and we now have some takeaways so that when we go back we shall work on those aspects.
“We need to also collaborate with other agencies that work within this sector to see that we promote the ease of doing business. The essence of our agencies put together is to ensure that business is moving without problems,” he said.
Speaking on the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, he said the port is one of the critical transport infrastructures that have been developed to service the people of the region and ease congestion at the sea ports.
He urged all northerners to encourage those operating the inland dry ports to publicise them to make ensure people use them.
He also announces that the rail line from Kano to Lagos is already opened with a lot of business activities.
He said: “Two weeks ago, we signed an MoU with the MD of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and one of the things he mentioned to us was that they are looking for cargoes.
“And it is our duty to ensure that shippers within this area and beyond know that this facility is here and it’s for them to use and promote it. We also believe that even neighbouring countries around here will be able to use this facility to promote it more -for the purpose it has been provided.”
Barr Akutah Ukeyima noted that Kano is one of the most important locations for the Nigerian Shippers Council in terms of trade activities, which is while the zonal office is located in Kano.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has set up the ministry of marine and blue economy. The whole idea is to promote trade activities and build economy from the sector. And not only trade, but to go into the blue economy, which is the global economy to see how Nigeria can also tap into that economy.
“Blue economy is not just meant for the blue sea; the people of Kano can also experience the blue economy, so there are a lot of opportunities coming up in that sector for businesses, jobs and wealth creation for Nigerians to take advantage of that.
“So, the whole idea of the blue economy is to see how Nigeria can tap into that global economy of the blue marines to see what Nigeria can get out of that, and I encourage everyone to bye into this President Bola Tinubu’s vision. Let us move way, this time around, from dependency purely on oil and see what we can do with blue economy.”
Welcoming Ukeyima to Kano, Director of the council, Northwest zone, Hajia Karimatu Othman, said the ES’ visit gives them hope and motivation to continue to work hard towards the mandate given to them.
“And we are confident that your visit will help in solving the conflict between the shippers at home and the importers abroad and will also help us in discharging our duties more effectively to the benefit of our stakeholders.”
She commended Ukeyima for the recent MoU signed with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, which she said, will improve efficiency in port operations and reduce unnecessary delays faced by shippers in the north.
“To the invited guests, the main purpose for organising this engagement forum is to give you the opportunity to meet with our executive secretary and other leaders of the council, rub minds, discuss issues of common interest, identify your challenges and look up to possible ways of intervention by the council,” she said.
She added that the zonal council was open to suggestions and ways of improvement, as it was already working towards advancing its services.
In Kaduna, Ukeyima called for resolution of legal and operational issues hindering the smooth running of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
He spoke during his working visit to Kaduna Dry Port and explained that the visit was to ensure the port effectively meets the needs of shippers to resolve any issues hindering its full operation.
Ukeyima identified several challenges impacting the port’s efficiency, with a notable concern being the pending legal framework regarding liability.
He emphasized the need to expedite legislative processes, stating: “We need to fast-track that,” to overcome this obstacle.
He highlighted the directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to resolve the issues promptly.
He said: “We have a duty to ensure that the bill pending before the National Assembly is passed within record time.”
Ukeyima stressed the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders and regulatory bodies, including Customs, to support the port’s optimal operation.
Managing Director, Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Mr. Omotayo Dada, confirmed that the port is operational and ready to assist shippers.
Dada expressed satisfaction with the government’s and regulatory agencies’ support and shared confidence in the port’s capacity to expand its operations.
“The truth of the matter is that the port has the capacity to do much more than it is currently doing; with the support from the NSC and ongoing discussions, there is no doubt that many good things are on the horizon,” Dada noted.
Dada assured that the port is well-equipped for business, boasting facilities such as cold rooms and laboratories. “We have cold rooms, laboratories, and much more. We are a port ready for business,” he emphasized.
The Kaduna Inland Dry Port remains dedicated to engaging with stakeholders and streamlining processes to facilitate trade and enhance business operations.
