Lagos—A former Head State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), yesterday, said that there was need to draw a road map to tap into maritime potential for Nigeria to be the hub in West Africa.

Abubakar said this in Lagos in a message to a three-day Nigeria Maritime Expo, NIMAREX, with the theme Regenerating Economic Growth Through the Maritime Sector.

The former head of state, who was represented by Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan (retd), said Nigeria had over 400 nautical miles and large human resources.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the maritime potential, adding that 80 percent of the nation’s maritime resources had not been tapped.

He said: “The abundant water resources, which stretch throughout the vast country’s landscape, make it imperative that more than 80 percent of the country’s external commerce are borne by sea.

“It just makes sense that the economy of Nigeria must be greatly influenced by shippers and their activities within our maritime domain.

“We have ignored enormous resources on our sea. People who know the importance have taken advantage.

“It is indeed laudable as NIMAREX is showcasing enormous potential in the maritime industry.”

He, therefore, urged the new government to consider the communique expected to be drafted from the conference in order to adopt the germane issues, re-focus and re-jig the economy for national prosperity.

Earlier in a message, President, Nigerian Indigenous Ship Owners Association, NISA, Mr. Aminu Umar, said the maritime industry facilitated over 90 percent of trade.

Umar was represented by Mr. Tunji Brown, National Secretary of NISA.