The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) has urged stakeholders to bridge the financing gap in the maritime industry.
According to the organisation, this has hindered the development of Nigeria’s blue economy, as the government seeks to diversify its revenue streams.
The President of AMJON, Paul Ogbuokiri, stated this at the 2024 Maritime Finance Conference held in Lagos with the theme: “Vessel Acquisition/Construction: Nigeria’s Banks, Insurance Firms, Government and the Blue Economy.”
The event, which was co-hosted by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), drew industry leaders, government officials, and financial experts together to address the pressing financing gaps hampering the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector and the broader blue economy.
Ogbuokiri underscored the association’s commitment to nation-building through informed reporting and advocacy.
He said the theme of this year’s conference was carefully chosen to bring together regulators, investors, financiers, and insurers to find a solution to the challenges retarding the growth of the Nigerian maritime industry.
The AMJON president said this is particularly crucial as the country looks to fully exploit its blue economy resources, especially with the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He also extended his gratitude to NSML for their collaboration, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in addressing the challenges facing the maritime sector.
“With the government’s focus on diversifying the economy and boosting revenue, the time for all hands to be on deck in developing the Nigerian maritime industry is now,” he concluded.
He urged stakeholders to engage in deep discussions on fostering greater collaboration between the financial sector, government, and maritime industry players to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
