- 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.
“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.