The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, has commended the contribution of women to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry while pledging to involve more women.

Peterside said this while hosting the President and members of the Womens’ International Shipping and Trading Association, WISTA, Nigeria who paid him a familiarization visit at the Maritime House in Lagos.

He expressed happiness that the women in the industry have united under a common umbrella, noting that there could be no real growth for the sector if critical segments of the population like the women were excluded.

“We cannot talk about growth in the maritime industry if we exclude over 50% of those who should drive growth.

“By the latest statistics, women constitute over 50% of the world population. Even if you extrapolate it to Nigeria, women constitute close to 60%, I think 55% of the population in Nigeria.

“And so if we exclude 55% and have 44% or so compete for the available spaces, we have excluded the majority of Nigerians from the maritime industry, you cannot expect growth in the maritime industry if you exclude women.”

Peterside charged the women to continue to contribute their quota to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

While pledging the Agency’s commitment to partner with WISTA Nigeria for the growth and development of the industry, Peterside observed that the Nigerian maritime industry is set for a historic growth that will be globally acknowledged.

In his words, “the maritime industry is the next big thing that will happen to Nigeria. We are a littoral state and we have all the trappings to excel in the industry and if we have our women on board we can sail to the top of the mountain”.

President of WISTA Nigeria, Mary Hamman acknowledged the efforts of the DG in repositioning NIMASA and the maritime industry and pledged their support for his leadership.

She said the association would require some support from NIMASA for some of its empowerment programmes for women and children impacted by the activities of shipping and related businesses.