Director General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has said the Nigerian maritime industry can generate $90 trillion if it is well harnessed.
Jamoh who said this during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, stated that the ‘Blue Economy’, which is the use of the ocean for economic growth, will increase livelihood and also enhance the well-being of the people.
While identifying areas of partnerships between the state government and NIMASA, Jamoh said: “We are seeing the extinction of the fishery industry due to maritime insecurity. 98 per cent of the maritime insecurity originates from land to sea but Lagos still remains the state that has the highest maritime security.
“Other areas of partnerships are the ferry services, waste management on the sea, and the extension and development of the shipping industry.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State is responsible for over 70 per cent maritime activities; stressing the need for the duo to work collaboratively.
He stressed the need for partnership in the area of wreckage, saying, “Once we find those wreckages, we should put them out. We are at the stage of completing 15 jetties in the state. We have moved over 250,000 passengers throughout ferries in less than a year.