Afrigather Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Financial system, has assured the nation’s maritime trade of dedication to maintain zero piracy and protected transport.
Talking forward of Thursday’s World Maritime Day themed, ‘Navigating the Future: Security First,’ Oyetola stated President Bola Tinubu’s need to make Nigeria a maritime hub in Africa.
In keeping with him, the primary main step by the President in navigating the longer term for Nigeria was the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Financial system, and placing up insurance policies and programmes that may guarantee the protection of the nation’s waterways.
Additionally talking, Abubakar Dantsoho, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), applauded Oyetola for his drive in the direction of guaranteeing port effectivity.
“The minister’s drive and tenacity is unmatched. He has continually drummed it into our ears that he’s centered on delivering outcomes for Nigeria,” the NPA boss stated.
World Maritime Day is an annual occasion that gives a chance to give attention to the significance of transport and different maritime actions and to stress a selected side of the work of the Worldwide Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Ismail Omipidan, spokesman of the Minister, stated the theme for the 2024 World Maritime Day, displays IMO’s efforts at enhancing maritime security and safety and defending the marine atmosphere.
The Minister expressed the nation’s dedication to sustaining the positive aspects of the Deep Blue Undertaking, to maximise the safety of the nation’s maritime area.
Initiated by the Nigerian Authorities and led by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company (NIMASA), the Deep Blue Undertaking addresses the complicated safety challenges in Nigeria’s waterways.
Since its full deployment in 2021 inside the Nigerian Continental Shelf, maritime safety has been considerably enhanced.
In the meantime, Oyetola stated enhanced safety is liable for the zero piracy on Nigerian waters within the final 24 months.
He stated the United Nations Safety Council, at its 905th assembly, acknowledged the progress made by Nigeria in maritime safety regarding the contributions of the Deep Blue venture.
He stated Nigeria will continued to deploy belongings and construct infrastructure that may improve environment friendly port operations half from our rehabilitation and modernisation efforts, .
“As an illustration, solely just lately, the Minister inaugurated two newly-acquired 80-tonne bollard pull tugboats, by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), which had been deployed to reinforce the berthing of vessels on the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport.
“The vessels are already supporting port safety, patrol, and surveillance and are serving to to ship environment friendly pilotage and towage companies to assist the rising cargo evacuation wants of the Lekki maritime hall,” he defined.
Oyetola assured that the brand new regulatory transportation code, which was unveiled at Nationwide Inland Waterways Authority’s (NIWA) just lately, would considerably standardise water transportation, minimise accidents, and supply a structured atmosphere for potential traders.
The 2024 World Maritime Day is scheduled to carry in Lagos this Thursday, with Larry Awosika, chairman of Fee on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), as particular visitor of honour.
