Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister, Marine and Blue Economy, has emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that its agencies operate in accordance with globally recognised standards.
Oyetola said this in a statement, signed by Mr Edward Osagie, the Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in Lagos on Monday.
He said that Nigeria was set to join the rest of the world to commemorate the 2024 World Maritime Day which had the theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.
“This year’s theme for World Maritime Day is particularly relevant, as safety is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving a robust and business-friendly maritime sector.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to ensuring that the Blue Economy makes a significant contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Oyetola said.
On his part, Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director-General, NIMASA, assured stakeholders and investors that Nigerian waters are safe for investment.
He also pledged to create an enabling environment for growth in the sector.
Mobereola noted that safety was the core mandate of the agency, whether it was the safety of lives and property at sea or the safety of investments.
He said that NIMASA was forward-looking and committed to implementing government policies that would ensure a sustainable future for maritime in Nigeria.
Mr Israel Obada, the President, Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), said that the issue of safety could not be over-emphasised in the daily operations of the Nigerian Maritime Sector.
“As surveyors, it is pertinent to state that the health of the vessels plying our waterways matters; because the classification of vessels plays a key role in assessing their overall health.
“This, in turn, impacts the maritime sector as a whole.
“This makes safety a priority in the sector, not only in Nigeria, but globally,” Obada.
Mr Emmanuel Ilori, a member of AMES, reinforced the importance of prioritising safety.
He said that it was eager to collaborate with the Agency, while also ensuring that all ships that ply Nigerian waters are safe, thereby enhancing safety of lives and property.
Ilori added that safety was aligned with the goals of the Blue Economy for a sustainable ocean.
“The World Maritime Day was first celebrated in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention.
“Since then, celebrations have taken place worldwide to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment.
“These celebrations also emphasise specific aspects of the IMO’s work.
“Nigeria’s commemoration of World Maritime Day 2024 is scheduled to take place in Lagos on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
“The Honourable Minister, Oyetola, along with all the agencies under the Ministry, will be in attendance,” Ilori said. (NAN).
