OYETOLA
BY GODWIN OBI
The inaugural PortNews Summit is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The even which is being organized by PortNews Newspaper, will focus on the theme: “Port Reforms and Local Content: Has Nigeria Fared Well?”
The high-profile summit will bring together an array of distinguished professionals, including economists, shipping magnates, maritime stakeholders, legal experts, and seasoned maritime journalists, to address critical issues in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, former Minister of Interior, will chair the event, while the keynote addresses will be delivered by two renowned thought leaders: Dr. Muda Yusuf, an eminent economist and former Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, a prominent maritime legal expert. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will serve as Chief Host, with the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, attending as the Special Guest of Honour.
MOBEREOLA
The summit aims to explore and provide actionable solutions to pressing questions surrounding port reforms and local content development. Some of the critical issues on the agenda include:
Performance of Concessionaires: Since the privatization of ports in 2006, how have concessionaires, particularly foreign investors, performed in terms of skills transfer, timeliness, increased ship and cargo volumes, and overall value addition?
Revenue Growth vs. Economic Impact: Do rising customs revenues reflect increased port activities and a robust Nigerian economy, or are they mere statistics disconnected from real growth?
Diminishing Role of Freight Forwarders: Why are Nigerian freight forwarders and licensed customs agents facing reduced involvement in the industry, despite record customs revenues?
Transparency in Customs Revenue: What is the real economic worth of the trillions of naira collected in duties, and where are the corresponding cargo volumes?
Abubakar Dantsoho
Driving Innovation and Productivity
Through rigorous discussions and expert analysis, the summit seeks to uncover the root causes of inefficiencies in the maritime sector while providing actionable strategies for boosting productivity, improving standards, and enhancing profitability.
This groundbreaking event is set to redefine the future of Nigerian ports and strengthen the country’s position in the global maritime industry.
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