President, Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) Akinsola Amire has hailed a directive by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to stop the planned concession of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminals Phases 1 and 2 in Apapa, Lagos.
Amaechi had at a recent maritime stakeholders’ conference in Lagos ordered NPA to stay action on the concession process of the terminal over complaint by the Ministry of Agriculture that the withdrawal of the terminal from fish trawler operators could have a negative toll on the trawling industry.
SHIPS & PORTS DAILY reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had in 2006 granted approval that Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phases 1 and 2 be made a federal fishing terminal.
Speaking with newsmen over the weekend, Amire said since the directive was handed down, both local and foreign investors have begun to express their interest to invest in the sector.
He said, “If you are in tandem with the policy of the government and you come in with your investment then you are sure and also have rest of mind that the new government will not change the policy. That is why NITOA is happy with the federal government’s directive.
“I can tell you that since that decision was taken some days ago, I have gotten so many calls from people who are interested in investing in the fishing sub-sector in Nigeria. That is what any good government will do.
“The calls are coming from both within and outside the country. Even this morning, I got a call from China telling me they want to invest in the fishing sector.”
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