• As Ambode proposes N812.99b estimates for 2017

Former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Capt. Adamu Biu yesterday observed that the Maritime industry belongs to two major groups: the Cargo owners and the Ship-owners, stressing that Government’s role is mainly to facilitate a cordial, functional and cost effective relationship between the two.

The Maritime guru indicated this, even as Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) broached on the issue of unveiling, so as to celebrate today, banks and International Oil Companies (IOCs) which have positively given Nigerian Maritime operators, the most enduring, observable supports.

“The Maritime industry belongs to only two groups: one is the cargo owners and the second is the ship owners. This is the message everyone must understand”, he indicated, urging the Nigerian Ship-owners, particularly the SOAN members to leave no stone unturned, in its determined vision to grant the nation’s cadets a desirable future, by providing them with the required sea time exposure.

“We are happy we have a Government and Minister who fully understands this; and is also willing to encourage this”, Capt Biu stated, charging ship owners to embark on serious training of the youths, even as he lamented that Nigeria today, a country of over 170 million people has only about 80 master mariners, most of them, already ageing.

He pleaded with his audience, a body of strong shipping moguls to also adopt measures that would enable the Government offer its right ears.

“You must also encourage the Government to listen to you; and to keep listening to you”, Biu stated further, stressing the need to utilize SOAN’S collective strength to leverage on the laudable vision of the present Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to expand the Maritime industry frontiers, in the overall interest of posterity unborn.

In his appreciation of Biu’s remarks, the SOAN’s Arrowhead, Engr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun pointed out that the group had embarked on the Selfless and totally altruistic venture, because it could no longer fold the arm and watch the cadets or the industry to further deteriorate.

He noted past individual company’s efforts, and pledged that the battle, henceforth, would now be collectively and more effectively fought.

“Individual companies have been fighting the battles, utilizing individual strength; and it has not been easy. Henceforth, we must now go all out of our way, to make the group fight for us. And if a parastatal  head doesn’t listen to us, we must approach the Minister”, Engr. Greg highlighted, lauding the entire members’ dedicated commitment which he noted is presently, also enjoying the recognition of the Presidency.

In the meantime, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday presented a budget estimate of N812.998 billion to the House of Assembly for approval.

In the estimates, capital expenditure is N512.99 billion and recurrent expenditure is N300 billion, a ratio of 63-37 per cent.

Ambode said the budget would continue the massive infrastructure renewal and enhancement of Lagos as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa.

“While we focus on physical infrastructure, we shall continue to pay attention to social infrastructure, especially health, education, youth and social development next year”, the governor said.

He said the state was expecting an increase in federal allocation through the 13 per cent derivation from oil & gas, which will further boost its revenue profile.

“In view of our financing gap, we shall continue to sustain deficit financing in the short-to-medium term and enhance revenue growth.

“We would explore more collaboration with local and international investors through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), especially in the areas of road expansion, transport; housing, and the environment,” he said.

The governor promised that next year his administration will “remain steadfast in its responsibility to make the state safe and secure for all citizens. We will continue to invest in security”.
“The Neighbourhood Safety Agency will become fully operational by 2017 with presence in all local governments and LCDAs.

“The key focus of the budget is road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. Our government will focus on roads that will open up the hinterlands, improve connectivity in the state and reduce travel time.”

He also promised that the administration will begin the Phase II of the 114 local government road projects and the Fourth Mainland Bridge and carry out fundamental reforms on all modes of transportation – roads, water and the walkways.

In this wise, a Public Transport Infrastructure Bond will be issued in the course of the year, Ambode said.
“The government will embark on the urbanisation of the Marina axis, waterways channellisation, establishment of more parks and gardens as well as the community sports centres and stadia in various locations.

“We will fully implement the medical health insurance scheme and deploy e-health/ e-insurance health service solutions; and complete the on-going upgrading and extension work in the state general hospitals and Ayinke House in Ikeja. Work will begin on our medical park in the 2017 fiscal year.

“With the aim of making Lagos State the next technology frontier in Africa, we will invest in digital libraries (e-libraries) as well as Code Lagos projects to prepare our younger ones to meet the new workforce demands, harness the benefits of technology and communicate in the language of the future.

“Our administration is committed to various projects in the area of tourism. Our vision is to create a tourism hub around the Onikan-Lagos Marina Axis. We will also develop the Epe and Badagry marinas to harness the tourism potential of these areas.

“We will establish Museum for Art and Culture in Ikeja, construct five Arts/Culture theatres in Alimosho, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and Ikeja, with a 400-seater hall in each of them.

“We will accelerate the food expansion programme, with a special focus in rice production, animal husbandry and root crops. We will intensify our collaboration with other states in the development of a commodity value chain specifically for food commodities.

“We will boost fish production by improving the production capacity of Ayobo Fish Farm Estate in Alimosho in addition to providing jobs for the youth.

“The Employment Trust Fund has begun financial support to our youths and entrepreneurs and this will be intensified throughout next year.
“In the area of environment, we will improve water supply through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and increase the capacity utilisation of water treatment plants, ensure efficient waste management system by increasing the number of transfer loading stations from three to 15, mitigate the effect of climate change through the conservation of the natural environment and promotion of biodiversity, as well as minimising flood through effective erosion control.”

The governor sought the cooperation and understanding of Lagosians in prompt payment of taxes.
He called for the support of Lagosians in the successful implementation of the budget.
“We have a huge responsibility to ensure that it succeeds as we cannot just afford to fail even at this critical period of recession,” Ambode said.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, praised the governor for the successful implementation of the 2016 budget.

He urged ministries, departments and agencies to provide the House with necessary documents to aid the quick passage of the budget.

The presentation was witnessed by prominent Lagosians, party leaders, traditional and religious leaders as well as politicians and former lawmakers.

Additional report from Nation