Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday declared that a National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy is essential for the development of the Nigerian maritime sector. He stated this while declaring open a stakeholders validation session aimed at developing the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy in Nigeria.

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.

In his words, ?A robust National Policy will ensure that we address these issues through a comprehensive framework that aligns with international best practices while safeguarding our marine resources for future generations?.

?It is worth noting that 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 his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, noted 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.

The draft policy, whichh consists of nine parts, offers an elaborate overview of our country?s marine and blue economic endowments and their current state. It affirms our 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. Overall, it is a comprehensive document.

Also present at the event were 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. Other attendees included Ms. Funmi Folorunsho, President, African Shipowners Association; Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Managing Director, Starz Marine; and the President, National Association of Stevedoring Companies, among other stakeholders

?PHOTO: R-L; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Moberola; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers? Council, NSC, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON; Consul General, Consulate of Denmark, Jette Bjerrum; Managing Director, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji and President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju during a validation workshop on the development of the national policy on marine and Blue Economy in Lagos.

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