As a way of boosting international trade and the maritime industry, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi on Thursday, called on Nigerians to focus on local vessel production instead of waiting for the foreign bigger vessels which are not available at the moment.
The Customs Boss stated this at the Annual Finance Conference organised by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) in collaboration with the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) in Lagos.
Adeniyi who was represented at the event by the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, said that vessel construction needed to be given necessary supports in the country.
He emphasised that vessels are sine qua none to effective and efficient international trade.
According to him, Customs introduced barge operations to ease movement of cargoes in a little way which later because a large investment in the maritime industry.
In order to support and sustain such move, the construction of smaller and local vessels need to be encouraged especially now that the president has given the needed support.
He said, “We should look inwards particularly at this time we are experiencing scares resources, Mr. President is encouraging us to look inwards and encourage home grown technology to move forward.
“We need to appreciate locally constructed vessels. We don’t need to wait until we build bigger vessels before we can exercise our expertise. We can’t wait until we have bigger forces to construct bigger vessels, we can start with smaller ones, the lower hanging fruits,” the CGC said.
