NSC Seeks Stronger Foreign Ties to Boost Maritime Sector

In a strategic move to foster collaboration and deepen institutional partnerships, the Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, OON, at his office in Abuja. The visit was aimed at promoting the Council’s mandate and exploring avenues for […]

In a strategic move to foster collaboration and deepen institutional partnerships, the Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, OON, at his office in Abuja.

The visit was aimed at promoting the Council’s mandate and exploring avenues for enhanced synergy with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Akutah emphasized the need for enhanced trade intelligence to aid in resolving international shipping disputes and called for cooperation in promoting Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

He cited countries like Canada which has very mature Blue Economy as potential partners for technical exchange and collaboration in areas like maritime research and ecotourism.

“We are also exploring blue economic diplomacy.

“Today, Nigeria has embraced the blue economy, and there are countries with mature blue economies that we want to partner with.

“For instance, countries like Canada have very mature blue economies. We want to leverage your capacity to help us promote our Blue Economy in those countries, facilitating technical cooperation to help build our own Blue Economy,” he said.

He added that the Council would also want to leverage on the capacity of the Honourable Minister to see to it that Nigeria has international maritime representation in critical International institutions like International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and World Customs Organization (WCO).

Akutah urged for stronger diplomatic engagement to ensure fairer treatment and smoother trade relations.

“We are looking at the issue of overseas treatment of Nigerian shippers because many of our shippers complain about certain constraints they face in their activities outside the country.

“We are thinking that, with your support, we could establish liaison desks in your embassies to support Nigerian shippers, especially in countries like China, where significant trade activities occur between our people and the Chinese market.” he said

In his response, the Honourable Minister, welcomed the partnership and encouraged closer cooperation.

“I think you need to do more in terms of collaborating with us and continue to remember that these goals cannot be achieved without working with us.

“We need to work more closely with each other. An agency might be under one particular ministry, but that does not mean we should not work together on issues of overseas trade support. I am very happy to work with you,” he said.