As the three days International Conference on Piracy and Armed Robbery on Sea organised by the Joint Standing Committee on Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy commenced in Abuja yesterday, Access Bank Plc, a major sponsor of the conference has indicated its interest in the development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Addressing journalists at the Conference, Nnamdi Nwankwo, Group Head, Access Bank Public Sector said that the maritime sector of the Nigerian economy is critical to the development of the overall economy of the nation and the West African sub region as the country accounts for over 60 per cent of the total seaborne traffic in volume and value in the West African sub region.
He added that the country also accounts for over 60 per cent of the total GDP of the 16 countries that make up the economy community of West African States because the massive cross border trade among these countries is anchored on the Nigerian axis.
He added that the significant contributions by the Nigerian maritime sector to regional economic development and international trade between the African continent and the rest of the world has made it compulsory for immediate actions to be taken against the twin problem of Piracy and Armed Robbery on Sea, and eventual overhauling of the entire sector, and that Access Bank is a willing partner of the government and other agencies in addressing these problems.
Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was the Special Guest of honour at the conference in his address, said that the government is looking forward to the recommendations of conference committees for adoption and implementation because these criminal activities are negatively affecting economic activities in the country and the entire West African region.
Dr. S.A. Dosunmu, Director General, NIMASA, who is also the chairman of the Joint Committee on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea added that the conference is an urgent response to this disturbing development that is fast dwindling the economic fortune of our country, and countries in the West African region, and assured that with the collaboration this conference has brought, these problems will be squarely addressed.
Access Bank’s collaboration with the organisers of this conference is in fulfilment of its obligation as a socially responsible organisation that seeks to promote national welfare and security through its operations and resources.
The Bank has remained a propagator of corporate philanthropic initiatives that have significantly accelerated the development of the country and improved both environmental and social well being of Nigerians.
He added that the country also accounts for over 60 per cent of the total GDP of the 16 countries that make up the economy community of West African States because the massive cross border trade among these countries is anchored on the Nigerian axis.
He added that the significant contributions by the Nigerian maritime sector to regional economic development and international trade between the African continent and the rest of the world has made it compulsory for immediate actions to be taken against the twin problem of Piracy and Armed Robbery on Sea, and eventual overhauling of the entire sector, and that Access Bank is a willing partner of the government and other agencies in addressing these problems.
Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was the Special Guest of honour at the conference in his address, said that the government is looking forward to the recommendations of conference committees for adoption and implementation because these criminal activities are negatively affecting economic activities in the country and the entire West African region.
Dr. S.A. Dosunmu, Director General, NIMASA, who is also the chairman of the Joint Committee on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea added that the conference is an urgent response to this disturbing development that is fast dwindling the economic fortune of our country, and countries in the West African region, and assured that with the collaboration this conference has brought, these problems will be squarely addressed.
Access Bank’s collaboration with the organisers of this conference is in fulfilment of its obligation as a socially responsible organisation that seeks to promote national welfare and security through its operations and resources.
The Bank has remained a propagator of corporate philanthropic initiatives that have significantly accelerated the development of the country and improved both environmental and social well being of Nigerians.