By Shola Fadeyi
The Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy has said, it has been taking proactive measures to enhance the performance of the maritime sector, by embracing emerging technologies and fostering innovation to drive growth in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola stated this at the 2024 World Maritime Day, with the theme , “Navigating the Future: Safety First”, which held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on September 26, 2024.
According to the Minister, who declared the event open ,key among the initiatives of the Ministry, are digitalization and automation of port operations to enhance safety, security, and efficiency as well as performance optimization to reduce costs and increase reliability, and the adoption of innovative practices to propel the maritime sector towards sustainable development.
He disclosed that President Tinubu is investing heavily in port modernization to reduce inefficiencies, lower operational costs, and improve safety at the ports, adding that the process is being financed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements.
The Minister stated that the government has also made significant progress in creating a conducive environment for port operations, by aligning its policies with global best practices, adding that this has enhanced safety, security, and efficiency in the Nigerian ports, leading to notable reductions in the delays associated with processing exports and imports.
Oyetola however pointed out that achieving the world-class standards Nigeria aspires to, will require continued support from the private sector, which collaboration, he said , is essential in providing the resources and state-of-the-art facilities needed to take Nigeria’s maritime industry to higher trajectory.
He pointed out that achieving safety in the Nigerian maritime environment is a goal well within reach, but requires collective effort , saying that with the diverse range of industry players and stakeholders present at the event , he was confident that the event will set the stage for a transformative future, one that drives Nigeria’s maritime sector towards unprecedented growth and prosperity.
The Minister pointed out the year 2024 marks a significant milestone, which is the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, a crucial International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty regulating maritime safety, saying since the IMO’s founding in 1948, safety has been at the forefront of its mission.
He said Nigeria has consistently worked to align its regulatory framework with IMO standards and other international maritime regulations, reinforcing the country’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of maritime safety.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola who gave the welcome addresss said alongside the vast potentials of Nigeria, lie a pressing priority: safety, saying this year’s theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First”, is not just a reminder but also a call to action.
Oloruntola stated that this has compelled the Ministry of Marine and Economy to place safety at the heart of every decision, policy and action within the maritime domain, saying Safety is not merely an operational consideration; it is the bedrock upon which the future of the maritime industry must be built.
He said the safe operation of vessels, the security and well-being of seafarers, and the safeguarding of the marine environment are all interconnected, with safety serving as the unifying thread, adding that without prioritizing safety, government risks not only human lives but also the ecosystems and economies that depend on the health and stability of the natrion’s oceans.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry and key stakeholders in the maritime and allied sector , while the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and some other agerncies also organized essay competitions for students, in maritime related schools, on this year’s theme of the Maritime Day and presented cash prices to winners.
