The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said that Nigeria is targeting being among the first 70 by 2023 in World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking.
Mustapha stated this at the ‘Night with Maritime Stars’ of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held in Lagos on Friday.
According to the SGF, who was chairman of the occasion, Nigeria currently ranked 131.
He explained that the country achieved the current position after President Muhammad Buhari signed the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in July 2016.
Before then, he said Nigeria was 170 in the ease of doing business.
Mustapha expressed optimism that with the PEBEC initiative, Nigeria would achieve the 2023 target.
READ ALSO: The Nigerian Stock Market Close Trade On A Bearish Note
He assured that Government would continue to support the maritime sector “because on it rests opportunities for wealth creation and economic growth.”
He noted that the progress made so far by NIMASA was due to the commitment and drive of its staff and stakeholders in the industry, hence the need to appreciate them.
He urged the staff who were not recognized at the event to strive harder.
Welcoming the guests, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, noted that the introduction of the NIMASA annual staff commendation awards three years ago, had transformed the image and perception of the agency.
He highlighted some of the achievements of the agency to include introduction of final billing system, annual maritime forecast, improved ship registry and increased ship tonnage, among others, attributing them to the commitment of the members of staff at the agency.
According to him, this was the reason for celebrating outstanding as well as long serving officers.
He however pointed out that there was still work to be done in order to build on the modest achievements.
The NIMASA boss also acknowledged the support of industry players whom he said had been a source of strength for the agency.
In the Long Service Award category, 68 staff members were recognised for 25 years in service, 34 for 20 years and 69 for 15 years.
For Industry Stakeholders Merit Award, the Most Compliant International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Onshore Facility 2019 went to APM Terminal, while Best Terminal/Jetty Operator 2019 went to Tincan Island Container Terminal.
The Best Maritime Training Institution 2019 went to Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
