Shipping Position Daily

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Mr. Boss Mustapha has said that the country is working towards being part of the top 70 compliance country on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index, even as he commended the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for helping the country to move from its initial position of 170 to 131



Mustapha stated this during the third Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards which held in Lagos over the weekend.



Mustapha said since President Muhammad Buhari signed the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in July 2016 the initiative has helped the ease of doing business in the country.



He said, "in our bid to improve efficiency and productivity in the industry and country, the council was created to ensure an enabling environment for port efficiency.



"Government will continue to support the maritime sector because on it rests opportunities for wealth creation and economic growth," he said.



Mustapha also commended the Director General of NIMASA; Dr. Dakuku Peterside for the progress made so far by the agency, he said the success was due to the commitment of its staff and stakeholders in the industry and so the need to appreciate them.



Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the host of the event Dr. Dakuku Petersides stated that since the introduction of the NIMASA annual staff commendation awards three years ago, the image and perception of the agency has been transformed.



Dakuku listed some of the key achievements of the agency to include; introduction of final billing system, annual maritime forecast, improved ship registry, increased ship tonnage, among others.



He attributed the achievements to the commitment of the members of staff of the agency, adding that the agency wasn't under any illusion as there was still work to be done in order to build on the modest achievements.