Mrs Margret Orakwusi, the Chairperson of Nigeria Ship Owners Forum, on Friday stressed the need for indigenous shippers’ participation in transportation of the nation’s crude oil.

Orakwusi said that the involvement of the Nigerian shippers in the lifting of the nation’s crude oil, the main stay of the economy, would help halt capital flight and create more jobs in the system.

The forum chairperson spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday on the sideline of a maritime lecture.

She said  foreign dominance of crude oil lifting was not in the best interest of the nation.

According to her, the impression that indigenous operators lacked the capacity was a ploy to keep them away from the mainstream of the nation’s economy.

“We are encouraging creation of jobs in the country, but in some cases exporting jobs to other countries.

“It is like some one not given the opportunity to work and hone his or her skills.

“We are collectively losing our wealth to foreigners, while our people languish in wants of that what is rightfully theirs,” she said.

Orakwusi appealed to the Federal Government to create the right environment and give waivers for indigenous participation in lifting of crude oil.

She demanded for the creation of the Ministry of Maritime to allow matters regarding the sector to get prompt attention of government.

Orakwusi said issues in the maritime sector were not being well attended to in the Ministry Transport.

She said that a separate ministry would help to chart pragmatic development steps that would enable experts in the industry to enroll in the international trade.

Orakwusi said that as a maritime nation, Nigeria should emulate other maritime countries by having Ministry of Maritime.(NAN)