By Godwin Oritse

The Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, NCS, Mrs Ify Akerele-Anazodo has said that creating awareness on issues affecting the maritime industry has been her greatest challenge as head of the chamber.

Speaking to newsmen after a Council meeting of the chamber, Akerele said in her ten years of being Director General, she now has a better understanding of the industry which she said will be very useful when she eventually wins election into the House of Representatives.

According to NCS boss, the idea behind the meeting, was to make sure that the chamber becomes a rallying point for all maritime trade activities in Nigeria.

Akerele who is vying to represent the Onitsha East and South Federal constituency in the forthcoming general elections also said that the current members of the chamber want to build on the progress she has so far made with the organisation.

“Älthough, I am going to represent my constituency in the next election but that does not mean that I will step aside as Director General now.

“When I eventually win the election, I will step down as DG and another person will take over.

“After ten years as Director General I think I have had enough, let somebody else come and take it from where I stopped. “

“So the meeting was basically to look at the way forward, based on where we are coming from, so I gave them a report and because the report was detailed, they had to set up another Committee to look at the report.

“Now, the thing is to take our proper place as representative of all shipping trade in Nigeria, all maritime trade activities.”Akerele said

Speaking in similar vein, the vice President of the chamber Mr Andy Isichei said that whoever will become the next Director General of the organization must be a person who is very knowledgeable about the industry.