From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola CON and Nigerian Ship owners and Chairman, Starz Marine, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun at the Stakeholders Round Table Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, held in Lagos, Tuesday.

Nigeria’s Minister of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola CON, has said that the country’s Marine and Blue Economy sector stands as a pivotal sector to foster sustainable economic growth of the nation.

He stated that with her expansive coastlines stretching over 853 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean and a network of potentially navigable waterways covering 10,000 km across 28 out of her 36 states, Nigeria is indeed a Jewel in Africa, Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy sector stands as a pivotal sector to foster sustainable economic growth of the nation.

Speaking at the maiden Stakeholders Round Table Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, held Tuesday in Lagos, the Minister disclosed that the decision of the ministry to convene the engagement was in line with its efforts to chart a new roadmap in terms of policy direction that would advance the industry’s potential and promote sustainable blue economy investments. This, according to the Minister is with a view to ensuring global competitiveness within the sector.

From right: Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni and retired Assistant Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Yahaya at the event.

According to him, industry stakeholders, especially private sector operators have crucial roles to play to complement government’s renewed commitment towards harnessing Nigeria’s vast marine and blue economy potential in line with efforts to diversify and grow the country’s economy.

He argued that there was urgent need to transform the sector, adding that the most viable way to achieve this is through an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, which the ministry has already embraced.

The Minister further insists that the need for this collaborative synergy model between both sectors is to bring the private sector’s efficiency and the public sector’s oversight to bear, which he argued would bring about a tremendous transformative impact on the marine and blue economy.

Part of the outcomes of such collaborative synergy, according to the Minister would include the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, while reinforcing government’s collaborative and forward-looking approach towards addressing national issues.

The Minister said: “It is important to state that Nigeria is indeed a Jewel in Africa. With her expansive coastlines stretching over 853 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean and a network of potentially navigable waterways covering 10,000 km across 28 out of her 36 states. Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy stands as a pivotal sector to foster sustainable economic growth of the nation.

“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 zeal for a better life for Nigerians propelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to recently unveil eight Presidential Priorities to address critical national challenges. These priorities are to be delivered through eight- focus areas, namely: economic growth, food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure development, security, healthcare, education, improved governance, and job creation.

 “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.

“To actualise these priorities, 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 such as Strengthening the Blue Governance; Transforming Port Operations; Enhancing Port Infrastructure; and Promoting Blue Economy Investments.”

He therefore urged the stakeholders to come to the realisation 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 the country’s rich marine resources for the betterment of the economy and safety of her planet. He also noted that it is imperative for stakeholders to join hands with the ministry to come up with practicable ways of ensuring that the inland rivers, lakes and waterways are well utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transport.

“The ministry’s decision to consider the re-establishment of a National Shipping Line, through a strategic PPP arrangement, is borne out of our desire to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.  This initiative will not seek to impede the growth of local players but rather to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs.

“This would enable our local businesses to better leverage the Cabotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally generated seaborne trade. I am aware 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.

 “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”, Oyetola also assured.