The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has pledged its continued support to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), expressing readiness to deepen its partnership with the agency in the interest of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
President of MARCON, Ismail Aniemu, made this known when the association’s executive members paid a courtesy visit to the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NPERA, Dr. Pius Akutah, on Tuesday.
Aniemu said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between MARCON and NPERA, while congratulating Akutah and his team on the progress made in establishing the new port economic regulator.
He recalled that maritime correspondents have followed the evolution of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the efforts towards establishing a port economic regulator, noting that the development had now culminated in the creation of NPERA.
Aniemu described the development as a significant achievement for the maritime industry and expressed optimism that NPERA would be properly utilised to advance the Nigerian economy.
He also acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices involved in getting the legislation through the National Assembly.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to assure you that in our own little way, MARCON will continually support the NPERA to help the Nigerian ports to be competitive and achieve the hub status that we all have been anticipating for the West and Central Africa sub-region.”
Aniemu further commended Akutah’s efforts in maritime dispute resolution and fairness in the maritime industry, saying his contributions deserved wider recognition.
He said MARCON wanted Akutah to not only be remembered as the first DG of NPERA, but also as the agency’s helmsman who would help Nigerian ports achieve a complete turnaround.
Aniemu also used the opportunity to intimate the DG about MARCON’s forthcoming conference on sustainable fishing in Nigeria, scheduled for September 30 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa.
Responding, Akutah expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the role MARCON and other maritime stakeholders had played in supporting the agency.
He described the media as vital to national development, particularly in helping the public understand developments within the maritime sector.
“Where we are today would not have been possible without the continuous collaboration and support that we receive from all of you.”
Akutah said NPERA would remain firm and fair in applying its law, while urging MARCON to continue supporting the agency by helping the public understand its mandate and what could realistically be achieved under the law.
He stressed the need for the relationship between the agency and the media to become stronger as NPERA enters its next phase.
“We want our partnership to continue, to be stronger and stronger, even as we move into this next stage.”
Akutah also accepted MARCON’s invitation to the September 30 conference, saying the theme of sustainable fishing strongly aligns with NPERA’s agenda and policy.
He identified illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as one of the biggest challenges in Nigerian waters, while noting that the country has a fish production deficit of more than two million metric tonnes.
He said the Federal Government’s recent engagement with Danish authorities had also highlighted the importance of sustainable management of marine resources, noting that Denmark had overfished its waters and was now working to rebuild its fish stocks.
Akutah stressed that Nigeria should learn from such experiences and promote sustainable fishing as the country develops its blue economy.
He assured MARCON that NPERA would remain open to providing information required for accurate reporting of the agency’s activities.
He urged the association to continue its work of informing the public and supporting the development of the maritime sector.
