By Uzor Odigbo
Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Temisan Raymond Omatseye has expressed deep frustration over the inefficiency of the newly established Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking at the National Discourse 2024 in Lagos, Omatseye criticized the ministry, led by Adegboyega Oyetola, for failing to deliver tangible results in shipping development, calling it a “wasteful resource and investment.”
The National Discourse, themed “The Human Capital Components, Assets, and Infrastructure for the Blue Economy,” brought together prominent figures in the maritime industry. Omatseye lamented that the ministry has not significantly contributed to enhancing the maritime sector, asserting that it should be returned to the Ministry of Transportation to ensure more effective governance.
Highlighting the success of the aviation sector under Minister Festus Keyamo who he noted lacks an aeronautics backgroung—Omatseye suggested that strong leadership and focus are crucial for any industry’s progress. He praised Keyamo for his achievements in aviation while stressing the stark contrast with the maritime sector’s stagnation.
Omatseye urged the maritime media to adopt a more objective approach in their reporting, criticizing the “overhyped promotion” of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy despite the absence of significant advancements.
He called for stakeholders within the maritime industry to unite and engage constructively with the government to foster improvement.
At the event, the convener, Kelvin Kagbare, echoed Omatseye’s sentiments, remarking on the lack of progress since the ministry’s creation in May 2023. Kagbare emphasized that the Blue Economy has the potential to generate over $1.5 trillion annually and create 30 million jobs but lamented the absence of substantial action and policy initiatives.
Despite the challenges, Omatseye remains hopeful that collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders could eventually lead to revitalization within the maritime sector. He concluded by emphasizing the need for a concerted push towards actionable policies that would enhance the development of Nigeria’s maritime capabilities.
As the discourse concluded, participants looked forward to a communique that would encapsulate the collective insights and resolutions from the event, aiming to educate the public on the critical elements of the Blue Economy and its future in Nigeria.