FG encourage foreign investors to Nigeria’s maritime sector

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says Nigeria’s maritime sector is a haven of opportunities for the world to exploit.

Amaechi made this revelation at the virtual 2021 Greek-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Technology Investment and Trade Forum.

He explained that Nigeria is a strategic destination for investments opportunities by Greece, adding that the maritime sector should be particularly attractive to Greek trading and shipping financing.

The minister noted that security on Nigeria’s waterways had improved so tremendously as to encourage increased investments.

According to him, Nigeria is open to investments in seaports and other maritime activities. “Presently there is a huge investment in security and efforts are in place to sustain it,’’ he said.

Amaechi also said that the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of three new seaports is critical in boosting an efficient transportation system.

The new seaports would be at Onne, Rivers; Lekki in Lagos State and Warri in Delta. Amaechi said the Lekki Seaport would be inaugurated in December 2022. Earlier, Mr Emeka Offor, Acting Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), restated the commission’s commitment to assist investors to navigate challenges in investing in Nigeria.

He noted that the Federal Government had shown strong commitment in addressing the challenges militating against investments.

According to him, Nigeria is one of the most entrepreneurial, innovative and ingenious economies in Africa.

“The Federal Government has put in place reforms that would ensure that Nigeria moves up in terms of ease of doing business. Nigeria enacted the Companies and Allied Matters Act supported by the Finance Act so it is easier to do business in Nigeria now,’’ Offor said.

While identifying possible areas of interest for investments, Offor pointed out that the 36 states in the federation and the FCT have various areas of competitive advantage.

“Nigeria is critically endowed with sectors of interests to investors and the NIPC will continue to provide the positive information that would guide the investors to make informed decisions,’’ Offor said.

He added that Nigeria is better positioned as an ideal gateway economy for leveraging African Continental Free Trade Agreement.