By Kunle SHONUGA
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Friday urged maritime journalists to improve on reportage of the industry in order to attract more investors and boost shipping business.
The Director, Special Duties of NSC, Mr Ignatius Nweke, made the appeal at the NSC’s Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists, held in Lagos.
TBI Africa reports that MrsAdakuOkam, a Deputy Director, Special Duties, represented Nweke.
Nweke, in a paper titled: “The Media in a Contemporary Maritime Industry’’, explained that for the media to engage in prompt reportage, maritime journalists require adequate information from the sector for their sustainability.
He said if the media had no adequate information, they could decide to play positive or negative roles in the maritime industry. “I will advise the media to always conduct research toward disseminating good reports in order to move the industry forward.
“The media should support developments in the sector and release information for people to be aware of positive changes that would attract more customers to patronise Nigerian ports.
“If the media are able to give quick and wide reportage, then they will be the tools for awareness in the maritime sector, ‘’ Nweke said.
He said there was need for the media to embrace modern technology to function effectively.Nweke noted that the maritime sector should engage in training and retraining the media to make them more familiar with the latest innovation in the sector.
He also urged the media to always balance their reports and educate the public positively.
Nweke said the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello, appreciated the role played by the media, which led to the status of the council as the port economic regulator.
In his address, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement of the NSC, MrCajetanAgu, said the role of the media was crucial to the economic development of the nation.
Agu urged the media to embrace technology as part of measures to enhance their performance. According to him, the NSC will continue to resolve issues concerning illegal charges.
He, however, urged terminal operators and other agencies to follow laid-down procedures before implementing any tariff increase.
Agu also advised journalists to create more awareness for the maritime sector.
