The Federal Government has begun plan to end granting of Cabotage waivers nationwide. This followed a five-year plan launched in Lagos to see to its successful execution and establishment of a new regime that makes indigenous operators compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
This comes as government said Nigeria was targeting to join the comity of shipbuilding nations in 2024.
Also, the Presidency and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA are contemplating incentives for prospective investors. Besides, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB is planning to float two hundred million dollars, which is about sixty-one point two billion naira facility to support the local industry.
NIMASA Director-General Dakuku Adol Peterside said after the careful implementation of the roadmap in the next five years, government would have revived the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, ASCON to achieve local production of vessels.
Noting the place of technical capacity in the entire project, he said his agency was vigorously training Nigerian youths to acquire requisite knowledge on ship-building and manning.
