…says challenges in sector provides opportunities for tremendous success in the industry.
The Director General of the Nigerian MarÃtime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, has charged stakeholders to renew their dedication to safety, innovation and responsible stewardship of the marine environment.
Cablenews24 reports that Mobereola handed down this charge while speaking at the 2024 World Maritime Day themed, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First, held on Wednesday at the Eko hotel and suites,in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The NIMASA boss also stated that there are many challenges in the maritime industry, which also provide opportunities for tremendous success in the industry, noting that Rapid technological advancements, environmental concerns, sustainability, and evolving global trade are some issues affecting the industry.
Dr Dayo Mobereola said, ” there are many challenges in the maritime industry, these challenges also provide opportunities for tremendous success in the industry. The Rapid technological advancements, environmental concerns, sustainability, and evolving global trade are some issues affecting the industry. 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,”.
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.”
Also speaking, the minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented byr Michael Oloritola, a permanent secretary in the ministry, urged stakeholders to re-examine the safety and security challenges that confronts the maritime sector.
He maintained that increased investment in the sector will help Nigeria to build capacity and ensure the country remains competitive in the global seaborne trade.
Oyetola disclosed that 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.
He listed some of the key initiatives of the Ministry to include: 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.
Oyetola said, “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 further stated that the government has also made significant progress in creating a conducive environment for port operations by aligning its policies with global best practices, which has resulted in enhanced safety, security, and efficiency in Nigerian 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.
L-R: President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola and Shippers Council Director, Glory Onodejo
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 is at conclusive stages of the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS).
According to him, the PCS will sets 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.
Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun
On his part, the chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun Described safety as an imperative that requires national responds and thst the National Assembly is committed to policies that would drive safe operations in the nation’s maritime sector.
He however urged the agencies in the sector to ensure compliance to international safety conventions.
Senator Eshinlokun said, “Nigeria should let safety to be the guiding principle that will position the country as a leading player in the global maritime community”.
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