Expert Urges Buhari to Reverse 85% Outsourcing of Maritime Jobs

An expert in the maritime and oil sectors, Mr. Emeka Akabogu, has urged Nigeria’s President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to address challenges mitigating against the growth of the maritime and shipping sector such as operational efficiency and massive outsourcing of services to foreigners.

Akabogu, who is the Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream, noted that if the two major challenges are expediently addressed the sector would become enabled to attain its full potential and make significant contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Congratulating General Buhari on his election, he pointed out that as soon as the back-slapping, merriment and ecstasy of victory all subside, the President-Elect will have to begin work in earnest, stressing that his work does not start on 29 May, but immediately.

“He has barely six weeks within which to put a formidable team together and hit the ground running on inauguration. One thing is clear: for the President-Elect, there’ll be no honeymoon. I’d like to highlight some important issues and steps relating to the economy which will be useful for him to ponder as he readies for work, and I’ll limit myself to the sectors within which I work – maritime and petroleum.”

“Broadly, the President-Elect has to cast his eyes on the quantum economic impact of competitive port operations and procedures; and promotion of key local shipping and maritime services. The first is easily achievable by strategic leadership through executive actions, regulatory compliance and tidying outstanding legislative frameworks. The result can be instant – increase of port service levels, fast-tracking of import procedures, huge savings on foreign exchange otherwise wasted on service inefficiency, new jobs within the import/export logistics chain and drastic improvement in the country’s ease-of-doing-business rating,” he said.

He noted that the impact of these will be immediately reflected in the entire economy, while directly putting foreign exchange in the hands of Nigerians and creating millions of multiplier jobs.

“Maritime and shipping services in Nigeria are currently 85 per cent outsourced out of the country despite strong existing local capacity and a ready captive market. The President-Elect must reverse this by encouraging compliance with existing maritime laws and leading the line to encourage local investment.

“The role of government for economic development is to set agenda for governance through policy, and ensure attainment of set goals through effective regulation and implementation. The President-Elect has the opportunity to lead a new economy anchored on value and wealth creation for all Nigerians. Here’s wishing him and his team strength and Godspeed,” he said.