Marine and Blue Economy minister makes case for investment in port facility upgrade for efficiency, safe shipping

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has highlighted the need for Nigeria to invest in    port facilities upgrade to safeguard shipping and drive operational efficiency in the nation’s maritime sector.

Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday at the 2024 World Maritime Day themed ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First,’ said increased investment in the sector will help Nigeria to build capacity and ensure the country remains competitive in the global seaborne trade.

The Minister who was represented by Michael Oloruntola, permanent secretary of the ministry, urged the stakeholders to re-examine the safety and security challenges that confronts the maritime sector, particularly in the context of new technologies and alternative fuels that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from ships.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy is taking proactive measures to enhance the maritime sector by embracing emerging technologies and fostering innovation to drive growth.

“Key among the initiatives of the Ministry are digitalisation and automation of port operations to enhance safety, security, and efficiency as well as performance optimisation to reduce costs and increase reliability, and the adoption of innovative practices to propel our industry towards sustainable development.

“President Bola Tinubu is investing heavily in port modernisation to reduce inefficiencies, lower operational costs, and improve safety in our ports. This process is being financed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements,” he explained.

Oyetola said the government has also made significant progress in creating a conducive environment for port operations by aligning its policies with global best practices. This, he said, has enhanced safety, security, and efficiency in our ports, leading to notable reductions in the delays associated with processing exports and imports.

He, however, said that the government needs the support of the private sector to be able to provide the resources and state-of- the-art facilities needed to take Nigeria’s maritime industry to higher trajectory.

He said Nigeria has consistently worked to align its regulatory framework with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards and other international maritime regulations, reinforcing our commitment to upholding the highest standards of maritime safety.

Speaking earlier, the managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said the authority was at concluding stages of the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS).

According to him, the PCS will set the pace for the operationalization of the National Single Window Project of the Federal Government.

Dantsoho who was represented by the executive director, Engineering & Technical Services, Engr. Ibrahim Umar, said the maritime sector is not just pivotal to national economic prosperity, but to global economic sustainability.

“Realizing that automation is the linchpin of port efficiency, the Nigerian Ports is at conclusive stages of the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), which actually sets the pace for the operationalization of the National Single Window Project of the Federal Government.

“This is in addition to the comprehensive modernization of Ports infrastructure and equipment to enhance competitiveness. Indeed, making global port operations healthier, safer and more secure whilst actualizing the other noble objectives of the World Ports Sustainability Program rests heavily on our shoulders as policy framers, investors and stakeholders in its broadest ramification.

“I have said all of these to establish the irrefutable fact that the maritime sector is not just pivotal to national economic prosperity, but to global economic sustainability. I have said all of this to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Ports Authority under the leadership and guidance of the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola to the maximization of the opportunities inherent in our maritime endowments for the benefit of the good people of Nigeria and the larger world.

“Before I take my seat permit me to remind us all that as far as the noble cause of advancing the fortunes of the maritime sector is concerned, we are all in one boat as eloquently captured in the seminal words of French oceanographer and naval officer Jacques Yves Cousteau that “The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.”

On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said stakeholders should renew dedication to safety, innovation and responsible stewardship of the marine environment.

Mobereola, while speaking, said challenges in the Maritime sector provide opportunities for tremendous success in the industry.

“There are many challenges in the maritime industry. These challenges also provide opportunities for tremendous success in the industry. Rapid technological advancements, environmental concerns, sustainability, and evolving global trade are some issues affecting the industry.

“While we confront these challenges, we must accord safety an important priority. In this regard, we must invest in cutting-edge safety technologies, enhance training and capacity building for our maritime workforce, strengthen our regulatory frameworks to meet international standards, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“It is in no doubt that NIMASA is leading the way in creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime future for Nigeria and beyond,” Mobereola stated.

The NIMASA boss also stated that stakeholders must strengthen collaboration and cooperation to address the increasingly complex regime due to emerging technologies.

“We need to strengthen collaboration and cooperation to address the increasingly complex regime due to emerging technologies. Your involvement is crucial in this process. Furthermore, let us renew our dedication to safety, innovation, and responsible stewardship of our marine environment. This commitment is not just a goal, but a promise that we will uphold.”

Wasiu Sanni, chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, said safety is an imperative that requires national responds.

He said the National Assembly is committed to policies that would drive safe operations in nation’s maritime sector.

He urged the agencies in the sector to ensure compliance to international safety conventions.

“Nigeria should let safety to be the guiding principle that will position the country as a leading player in the global maritime community,” he added.