By Chris Udochukwu
The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Ports and Harbour, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has declared that the committee would support total rehabilitation and upgrading of the nation’s ports and harbors for optimal efficiency.
Honourable Nnaji gave the indication at the weekend in Abuja while addressing members during the inaugural meeting of the committee.
He stressed that the committee and indeed the parliament were determined to ensure that, “the sector remains one of the bests through appropriate legislation and oversight”.
Honourable Nnaji who represents Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu of Enugu State also observed that the importance of the maritime sector to the country’s domestic product and revenue generation could not be overemphasized adding, “we intend to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate avenues are created for the economic development and better non-oil revenue generating sector as obtained in advanced country”.
The Committee on Ports and Harbour, Honourable Nnaji further stressed , “is important and crucial because of the major roles the sector plays in our economy and our national life.
“ It therefore presents all of us an ample time to effect challenges that will reshape this unique and high-tech sector and position it to strategically compete in the global stage”
The chairman however appealed to the stakeholders in the sector to be open to the committee so that collaboratively, the best industry practice could be engendered to expand the frontiers of government’s crusade on checking revenue leakages.
Honourable Nnaji who equally expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Art. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas for his optimum support to the committee and his passion in actualising the legislative agenda also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GFR for his willingness to partner with the National Assembly to develop the sector.
He appealed for cooperation from the members to ensure proper oversight of the sector urging them to submit proposals and suggestions to enable the secretariat develop appropriate work plan for the committees.
