- Ship owners in Nigeria have reiterated their preparedness to partner their Greek counterparts on coastal trade and ship building in the country.
- To this end, the ship owners, under the auspices of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA), have sealed a partnership with some ship owners from Greece to bring in 40 vessels into Nigeria.
- NISA President, Captain Niyi Labinjo, disclosed this during a meeting held in Lagos between NISA and some ship owners from Greece.
- Labinjo said that the ships, which will be of various classes and tonnage, would eventually belong to the indigenous ship owners within two years.
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“We have signed the agreement between us and Greeks and Nigeria will acquire the 40 ships in not less than 24 months. NISA is providing a platform for younger and unborn generations and I wish the ships will be growing from 40 to 60 and to 100. A total of 600 vessels are operating on oil and gas; and only10 per cent belongs to Nigerians as at 2015,” Labinjo said.
- He said that if the number one priority was being given to Cabotage (coastal trade), the maritime industry would sustain Nigeria’s economy.