- Friday, May 3, 2024
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President Bola Tinubu has
directed the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to resuscitate the
national shipping line through a strategic public-private partnership (PPP) to
capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter
market within the country, create jobs and boost the economy.
The Minister of Marine and Blue
Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, dropped the hint in Lagos, yesterday, at a
Stakeholders Roundtable Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria's
Marine and Blue Economy.
The meeting was convened to bring
together operators, players and stakeholders in the maritime industry to
discuss and chart a roadmap/direction that will advance the industry’s
potential, promote sustainable Blue Economy investments and ensure global competitiveness
within the sector.
The Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economy, Oyetola said decided to engage the stakeholders in order to
collectively contribute their perspectives, ideas and offer relevant inputs
that can propel the sector to the trajectory of success necessary to support
the development of the economy as well as meet the expectations of President
Tinubu, who took the courage to open up Nigeria to focus on the Blue Economy
Value Chain, avoid the pitfalls that led to the liquidation of the Nigerian
National Shipping Line (NNSL), diversify the nation's revenue base, assure
sustainable development and cultivate environmental stewardship.
The Minister pointed out that the
nation’s expansive coastline stretching over 853 kilometres along the Atlantic
ocean and a network of potentially navigable waterways covering 10,000 km
across 28 of her 36 states, Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy stands as a
pivotal sector to foster sustainable economic growth of the nation.
Oyetola told over 2,500
stakeholders at meeting that the sector could be transformed through the
innovative PPP models that the ministry has embraced, adding that the model, a
collaborative synergy between the private sector’s efficiency and the public
sector’s oversight, is set to bring about transformative impact on the marine
and blue economy.
"I am delighted to welcome
you all to the Stakeholders' Roundtable Engagement on Advancing Sustainable
Development in Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy sector, convened to bring
together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap/direction that
will advance the industry's potential, promote sustainable Blue Economy investments
and ensure global competitiveness within the sector.
Oyeyola told the stakeholders
that "it is worth noting that this Engagement Forum is crucial to the
development of the sector as it offers an opportunity for us all to
collectively contribute our perspectives, ideas and offer relevant inputs that
can propel the sector to the trajectory of success necessary to support the
development of the economy as well as meet the expectations of Mr. President
who took the courage to open up Nigeria to focus on the Blue Economy Value
Chain.
The Minister added that 'the zeal
for a better life for Nigerians propelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to
recently unveil 8 Presidential Priorities to address critical national
challenges. These priorities are to be delivered through 8 focus areas, namely:
economic growth, food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure
development, security, healthcare, education, improved governance, and job
creation.
To actualise these Priorities,
Oyetola said that "our Ministry has also moved a step further by putting
up this Roundtable so that we can harvest ideas that would form part of our
roadmap and policy direction. This is why today we will be looking at such
areas like Strengthening the Blue Governance; Transforming Port Operations;
Enhancing Port Infrastructure; and Promoting Blue Economy Investments.
"This roadmap is designed in
such a way as to enable our Ministry
fulfil its mission of formulating and implementing policies, programmes and
initiatives that will facilitate the development of an inclusive Marine and
Blue Economy Ecosystem, driven by an operating environment that meets global
best standards as well as fulfil its vision of positioning Nigeria as a premier
Maritime Nation by utilising the potential of its blue economy to diversify
revenue, assure sustainable development and cultivate environmental
stewardship.
"At this juncture, you will
all agree with me that it is no longer business as usual, as there is an urgent
need for a collaborative effort to brainstorm and devise strategies to leverage
our marine resources for the betterment of the economy and safety of our
planet. It is imperative we come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our
Inland Rivers, Lakes and Waterways are well utilised for cargo shipment and
passenger transportation.
Oyetola said he believed that
"we can transform this sector through the innovative Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) models that the ministry has embraced. This model, a
collaborative synergy between the private sector's efficiency and the public
sector's oversight, is set to bring about transformative impact on the marine
and blue economy. Anticipated outcomes include the creation of substantial job
opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the
nation, reinforcing our collaborative and forward-looking approach.
While pointing out that the
sector is very vast with its unique challenges. "Nevertheless, let me
assure you that I am committed to bequeathing to Nigerians a better sector than
we have met today. Our Ministry though new, is not resting on its oars and has
continued to foster Inter-Agency collaborations and implement initiatives to promote
Port efficiency, cargo shipment, maritime security and tap into the resources
of the Seabed.
He assured the stakeholders at
the event that, "this Stakeholders' Engagement will be the first in its
series since it is important that we normalise this harmonious synergy and work
together to ensure that our industry is safe, reliable and sustainable. I wish
us all fruitful deliberations," Oyetola said.
The Minister added that
anticipated outcomes include the creation of substantial job opportunities and
the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, reinforcing
its collaborative and forward-looking approach.
In her address, the Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani pointed out that the maritime
sector is a major source of revenue earnings for the country, an enabler of
trade and a key engine of economic growth and sustainable development.
She added that the country is
blessed with so much aqua and so has an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
making it a natural hub for shipping and International Trade for most
landlocked neighbouring nations in West and Central African region.
“Our maritime industry is also
blessed with many experts including captain of maritime industries, indigenous
ship owners, terminal operators, freight forwarders, shipping lines, barge
operators, maritime lawyers, stevedoring companies, women groups etc who are in
this hall today and have paid huge sacrifices in advancing the Nigerian
Maritime Industry to its presence state.
“We are aware that you are the
last mile, and the major link between the Government and the Nigerian People.
You are the main operators as well as the litmus test in determining the impact
of the Government policies, programmes and initiatives.
As such, this stakeholders
engagement Roundtable is necessary as it enables us to present our challenges,
jointly brainstorm on the solutions with a view to chart a roadmap for a
Maritime Industry that is sustainable technological advanced and innovative.
“This stakeholders forum has been designed for
us to inform, equip and enable us to share knowledge on critical issues
affecting the maritime sector particularly as the new administration has deemed
it fit to showcase the potentials of the Marine and Blue Economy as well has
harness its opportunities for the benefit of Nigerians. Let us lend our voice
as we begin this journey of more growth for the maritime industry,” Ajani said
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