By Sani Idris
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has identified the challenges preventing agriculture and solid mineral sector from becoming the desired key player in the Nigerian economy.
The DG, represented by Engr. Francis Odukuye, Deputy Director Shipping Promotion of the agency, made the observations at NIMASA’s special day at the ongoing 43rd Kaduna International trade fair.
Jamoh noted that there was palpable optimism that the sector could in the coming decades become a major player in the economy with value added greater than the oil and gas sector, if the challenges were quickly addressed.
He identified some of the challenges of the agriculture and solid mineral sector as; double taxation, inadequate infrastructure and lack of finance, industry/host community relationship, inadequate training institutions, insecurity and over dependence on oil export among others.
He also noted that, in spite the prevailing role of petroleum as a major foreign exchange earner for the country, the agriculture sector remained the mainstay of the Nigerian economy being the largest non-oil export.
According to him, “there is palpable optimism that the agricultural and solid minerals sector can become a major player in the economy in the coming decades, with value added as much as or even greater than oil- and gas.
“More importantly, they will serve as key drivers in the quest for sustainable economic growth and more inclusive development,” he stated.
Proferring solution, the DG however, said that, provision of infrastructure, skills development, availability of fund, cooperation from host community and provision of adequate infrastructure needed to be addressed as key drivers to increase productivity in agriculture and minerals resources for export trade.
He stressed that the government must ensure that its policies focused on mainstreaming inclusive growth and development in the strategic development of value addition in the mineral and agricultural sector.
“The government must put more emphasis on the process of developing the sector along its value chain to strengthen economic diversification through effective backward and forward linkages with the rest of the economy.
“The federal government should provide support that will induce greater effectiveness and efficient entrepreneurs and investors in converting the numerous opportunities in harnessing agriculture and minerals resources and related economic activities.
“The government should also explore ways for effective funding of critical assets to the development of the sectors .
“It should in addition, collaborate with other stakeholders in the industries which would help to minimise the diverse and significant political, economic, financial, technological and environmental risks and uncertainties exits in the sector,” he said.
The DG however, said that, the agency was focusing on trade facilitation which they believed would ultimately drive economic growth, incomes and wealth creation, adding that, trade facilitation through shipping would build capacity, generate employment opportunities and improve standard of living of Nigerians.
In his remarks, the President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu said NIMASA played a key role in facilitating trade activities between Nigeria and other counties in the world.
Aliyu, represented by Mr Ishaya Idi, commended the agency for its continuous participation at the trade fair which he said would enable people from the hinter lands benefit from the activities of the agency.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the NIMASA’s day was accompanied by an interactive, questions and answers forum where critical stakeholders share their views and ways in which trade could be enhanced for maximum profitability. (NAN)
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