Nigeria’s search for a comprehensive policy framework for the maritime sector has taken a positive twist as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, commenced a 2-day stakeholders engagement on the draft national policy on marine and blue economy.
While declaring open a stakeholders validation session aimed at developing the national policy on marine and blue economy in Nigeria on Tuesday, in Lagos, the Minister described the national policy as essential for the development of the Nigerian maritime sector.
Oyetola emphasized that the National Policy will create a sustainable pathway for economic growth in fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism, and seabed mining, while also ensuring environmental sustainability.
He further noted the need for a robust National Policy to address challenges in the sector, including environmental degradation and illegal activities such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
His words “Nigeria has achieved notable progress in maritime governance, including the ratification and domestication of international protocols and conventions. These measures have strengthened our safety and security framework, resulting in a remarkable three-year period with zero incidents of piracy in our waters. Nonetheless, the recurring boat mishaps underscore the pressing need for immediate action.
“This policy seeks to implement comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety of all waterways. However, challenges such as the recent spate of boat mishaps demand urgent attention. Consequently, this policy aims to establish comprehensive measures that will enhance safety across our waterways.
“As we develop this policy, the Ministry remains committed to repositioning Nigeria as a dominant player in the marine and blue economy, both regionally and globally. We are also pursuing Nigeria’s candidacy for election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which underscores our determination to strengthen our voice in global maritime governance”.
In her goodwill remarks, the Secretary General of African Shipowners Association (ASA), Funmi Folorunso, described the public engagement as significant and commendable even as she expressed keen interest for Nigerian shipowners who account for 30 percent of ASA.
“The fact that we are hosting stakeholders to deliberate on this policy is important. We should foist policies on industry players, but give them opportunities to be part of the development of the policies. This is beautiful but it shouldn’t stop here. There should be continuous engagement of industry stakeholders, including ship owners,” she remarked.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, posited that the validation workshop is a key step in shaping the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy – a framework designed to address Nigeria’s specific needs and aspirations while embracing sustainable development principles.
“It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to review, refine, and enrich the draft policy through a participatory and inclusive approach,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman of Starzs Group, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, admonished the organizers to scrutinize the numerous submissions and recommendations from industry summits in order to enrich the policy.
He equally commended the high-degree of interagency collaboration currently practiced in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The 60-page draft policy, which consists of nine parts, offers an elaborate overview of the country’s marine and blue economic endowments and their current state.
It affirms the nation’s mandate, vision, and mission, setting the stage for the policy’s objectives and aspirations. It further dissects these aspirations into five broad parts of; legal and institutional framework; maritime transport, trade and shipping; fisheries and aquaculture; marine abiotic resources; and marine innovation and technology. It also identifies a range of cross-cutting issues and concludes with an assessment of stakeholders to support the implementation structure.
The event was graced by the Chief Executive Officers of all the agencies under the Ministry, including; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority; Barrister Akutah Pius, MON, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council; and Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority.
