- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (right) and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, at the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) General Assembly in London… Monday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated the Nigerian Government’s commitment to repositioning the nation’s maritime sector for economic growth and development.
Oyetola, who was addressing the 33rd General Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London Monday, said his ministry has already mapped out plans on security, marine environment management, climate action and human capital development – towards revamping the sector.
In statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, the minister said that recognising the importance of the industry and Nigeria’s strategic position as a leading maritime nation in the region, President Bola Tinubu established the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy upon assuming office in May 2023.
According to him, the new ministry has already made significant strides in the quest to put in place a more progressive and dynamic maritime sector nationally, regionally and internationally.
“We have already begun the process of developing a framework that will ensure short, medium and long-term outcomes to reposition the maritime sector to achieve the new administration’s agenda for economic growth and development,” he said.
“In the area of national security initiatives, Nigeria has continued to take concrete steps in emplacing the necessary legal and institutional framework to sustain the successes attained in ensuring maritime security within her maritime domain.
“It is noteworthy to mention in this regard the enactment of a dedicated legislation, the Suppression of Piracy and Other Offences Act, which fortifies the legal framework.”
He listed in addition “the implementation of the Integrated National Surveillance and Waterways Protection Solution, known as ‘The Deep Blue Project,’ which further enhances maritime security with its command and control infrastructure.”
The initiative had continued to bolster Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and contributed to the significant drop in the number of security incidents in Nigerian waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea, achieved in collaboration with member-states, stakeholders and the IMO, he added.
Under marine environment management, Oyetola said that Nigeria has remained steadfast in actualising its treaty obligation, while the recent ratification of six maritime conventions and protocols will further promote a cleaner marine environment, ship-breaking criteria, global standard for fishing crew and response to oil pollution casualties.
Similarly, he stated Nigeria’s commitment to working with other member-states in the implementation of the strategy for climate action, in line with the IMO’s commitment to the campaign.
According to him, “Nigeria notes the 2023 strategy on Green House Gas emissions adopted at the MEPC 80, which demonstrated the spirit of friendship, compromise and consensus among member-states.”
He further noted that in terms of human capacity development, Nigeria has continued to prioritise the training of its seafarers through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
“Through this initiative, Nigeria has continued to train indigenous seafarers to build capacity and enhance its contribution to the global seafarer’s pool and manpower development, with attention on women seafarers.
“Since the inception of the NSDP programme, the Federal Government has trained 2,476 cadets in various fields at world-class maritime institutions across the world.
“To reform the business environment, we have continued to implement a broad-based agenda to improve the Nigerian maritime operating environment for commerce to thrive and be driven through inter-agency collaboration and cooperation with the private sector.
“With technical support from IMO, we have initiated the development of a Port Community System (PCS) to create an effective and efficient port community system.
“Currently, we have ensured interconnectivity of operations of the relevant agencies to create seamless cargo clearance processes and procedures to further enhance and simplify cross-border trade.”
The minister further sought the support and votes of member-states as Nigeria once more renews interest in the Category C of the IMO Council, which election comes up in 2025.
Meanwhile, during an event on the sidelines of the ongoing General Assembly, the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim, commended Nigeria’s creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as futuristic and strategic.
He also commended Nigeria for providing security in the Gulf of Guinea, and urged the country to share the idea of the new ministry with member-states.
