CHAIRMAN of the Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (MENA) Division of the National Society of Engineers (NSE), Captain Dominic Onabajo, has expressed regrets about the neglect of the industry by government and key stakeholders.

He said this during MENA’s fourth Annual Conference and General Meeting in Lagos.

According to Onabajo, the choice for this year’s theme, “Strategy For Growth in the Nigerian Maritime Industry” is very apt, particularly considering the numerous problems militating against the growth of the industry.”

In his welcome address, he lamented that, “the industry, which should have been a major contributor to the nation’s economy was not considered during the last debasing exercise, an indicator that the revenue from the maritime industry is negligible and the Nigerian government can do without this sector.”

The MENA Chairman told The Guardian that, “Nigeria has the potential to be one of the biggest maritime nations in the world because, “we have vast sea areas and that puts the nation in a vantage position.”

Apart from funds, Onabajo stressed inadequate recognition and support from government and maritime agencies like Nigeria Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA) as the division’s major challenge. “And this is not giving us the platform to show our capability,” he added.

Babagana Muhammed, who represented the President, NSE, Issac Olorunfemi, pointed out that, “NSE, does not get interventions from government, it is managed by dues from members of the society,” therefore, MENA should create more awareness about its existence to members of the profession and major stakeholders.