The Federal Government has expressed determination to reposition the Maritime sector for the welfare and well-being of Nigerians in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola stated this recently during a facility tour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s Headquarters, her Skill Acquisition Center, Search and Rescue Base Clinic, Maritime Resource Center and others in Lagos.
A statement by Henshaw Ogubike Director, Press & Public Relations in the ministry noted the minister’s determination to change the narrative in the Maritime sector by putting in measures that will make Nigeria a major player as he recommended the establishment of a national carrier through Public Private Partnership arrangement for freight transport in the country.
According to him, it is daunting to note that Nigeria bears the singularity of being the only Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC) member with no national line that bears its country’s flag. This he observed was unacceptable noting that establishment of a national carrier will put paid to the 30% freight charge used to charter vessels.
The Minister was however quick to draw out that his call for a national line should not be misrepresented as a call for the re-establishment of the moribund Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).
Speaking further, the Minister admittedly spoke on his interest in NIMASA’s Modular Floating Dock due to the fact that it has the capacity to generate jobs and stem capital flight.
Fishing and other elements with potential to grow the economy the Minister assured will be explored.
Speaking earlier, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh said that with the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria now joins 7 other countries in the world that have stand-alone Blue Economy Ministry. He assured that with this development, NIMASA is better positioned to maintain and put Nigeria on the global sphere.
Good production costs money and you can support what we do. Please find our details below👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 Account name: MARKET ONLINE MEDIA Bank: UBA Acc No: 1026401930.
