Buhari restates commitment to restructure maritime sector

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration is committed to the provision of critical infrastructure in the maritime sector that will enhance the transportation of goods from the ports to the hinterland.

He said doing so would boost the country’s economic competitiveness as targeted by Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Buhari stated this in Abuja yesterday while declaring open the African regional conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbours.

“This administration that I am privileged to lead is committed to rebuilding infrastructure that supports the means of transportation from the ports to the hinterland.

We understand that this interconnectivity will improve Nigeria’s economic competitiveness as targeted under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” he said.

The President, who further said that he had since directed the relevant authorities to ensure that every port has a compliment of rail infrastructure and that roads across the country be given the needed attention, stated: “I have directed that every port must have a compliment of rail infrastructure.

Our projection is that by the end of 2021, we will have standard gauge railway across the main North-South rail route.

The same level of serious attention is being given to the improvement of road infrastructure.

At least 25 major highways and 44 roads are under construction across the six geo-political zones of the country.”

He said major inland water ways were also being given adequate attention.

Besides, the President, who implored participants at the regional conference to see themselves as people opportune to stand in positions of responsibility on behalf of the African continent, urged them to come out with resolutions that would benefit the entire continent.

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said the theme of the conference, “African Ports and Hinterland Connectivity,” was in line with the commitment of the Buhari administration’s commitment to optimising the comparative advantage Nigeria’s maritime endowments confer on other parts of the world.

He also disclosed government’s plan to develop a multi-model system of transportation in Nigeria.