“The set of rules that contain the activities of players within the sector apply not just to Nigerians; they are a global set of standards that deal with safety, quality, efficiency and security”
By Uzor Odigbo
The Managing Director, NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), Mr. Abdul-Kadir Ahmed has said that Nigeria must embrace the global maritime standards in the areas of safety, efficiency, security, capacity building and competence to maximise potentials of the Blue Economy.
According to him, the Blue Economy is not local; but an international industry with global standards, adding that it is the responsibility of regulators to make sure that these standards are strictly adhered to by operators in the sector.
Mr. Ahmed made this known while delivering his keynote address at the 2022 edition of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) Conference/Award with the theme: “Maximizing Nigeria’s Blue Economy Through Automation”, on Monday, December 19, 2022.
His words: “The set of rules that contain the activities of players within the sector apply not just to Nigerians; they are a global set of standards that deal with safety, quality, efficiency and security. And in that falls the purview of the regulatory bodies; the ability to define and enforce those standards, and most importantly, the ability to carry the industry and ensure that these standards are upheld.
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“The second element pertains to capacity and competence, the ability not only to develop but also to domesticate the capacity to drive the Blue Economy. It is very critical and without the people and competent hands, it is impossible to ensure that the Blue Economy will develop in a sustainable manner.
“NSML is a subsidiary of NLNG, primarily responsible for shipping and maritime services and operations, and the aim of the creation is simply to develop and domesticate the global skillsets when it comes to shipping and marine services, which are critical to the Blue Economy.
“It is also quite important when you look at it from that perspective, to recognise that at the end of the day, the development of our resources will have an effect and impact on the lives of people. Nigeria as a country of 200 million people, with over 50% of our people below the age of 25, requires us to sustainably develop our resources in such a way that we can provide the means of livelihood for this vast majority of people. And to effectively do that, there has to be a focus on the development of capacity and skill set”.
Emphasising on the importance of safety, security, competence and capacity, he pointed out that it is not enough to have an industry with these standards, but one that enables, drives and imbibes these standards, “because they are critical in terms of how we develop and sustain the Blue Economy”.
Speaking further on maximising the Blue Economy through automation, the NSML boss noted that the aforementioned elements are also very germane to achieving this.
“I have been thinking quite extensively about the theme of today’s conference, and from my perspective, it is an effective and sustainable development of our Blue economy, but looking at it from the angle of automation, how do we automate? All of these elements that I have mentioned will come into play.
“I think the (AMJON) president also mentioned something about automating the regulatory infrastructure, and that is quite critical. And it goes beyond just safety enforcement, but also creating that environment that, as he rightly pointed out, enables ease of doing business. For us to really move this sector forward, it is important that there is clarity, a level playing field, competitiveness, and a drive towards efficiency, safety and security”, he said.
Mr. Ahmed who noted that journalists covering the maritime sector have a critical role to play in checking the activities of stakeholders, tasked them to professionally and objectively perform their watchdog duties in order to ensure accountability of all participants in the industry.
According to him, “this can be done by understanding the very nature of the industry, the elements that drive the changes we see, and events like this are a good place where we can rub minds together and share ideas about the nuances about an industry that is fast evolving. And I think that carrying out research will not just enable you to come up with reports on the opportunities and challenges that exist, but most importantly, you can hold us accountable in terms of what we need to do.
“Hence, my appeal is for us to continue on this collaborative path by creating an understanding on the nature of the industry, of the opportunities of the sector and the requirements of the industry. You can continue to hold us accountable, drive us to be the best we can be and most importantly, ensure that, as the name entails, the Blue Economy is not just about exploiting the resources, but doing so sustainably and in a manner that drives the economy forward and changes the lives of our people”.
On his part, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) while delivery a paper titled: “A Drug-free Society for National Development”, said the theme is apt because the world is currently driven by technological innovations and Nigeria must not be left behind in a generation almost driven by automated processes and procedures.
Marwa who was represented by Mrs. Omolade Fabuyigbe stated that the need for a sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem cannot be over stressed.
According to him, the maritime sector is key towards economic development of the nation, and for Nigeria to achieve the much desired foreign direct investment through a 24-hour clearance of goods at the ports, the maritime activities must be automated, adding that the sector should therefore be driven by efficiency and effectiveness in her operations.
He said: “The problem of substance abuse in Nigeria if not adequately addressed, may be a huge hinderance to this anticipated drive for an improved economy. The maritime sector by the nature of its operations features prominently in the two major strategic pillars of drug supply and Reduction, hence the importance of the sector in our drug control efforts. It is unfortunate to note that some major drug shipments are usually done through the sea.
“The personel working in that sector equally need to be shielded from drug use and dependency for better productivity. There is therefore a need for the NDLEA and the maritime sector to employ synergistic approach to drug control.
“It is therefore necessary to develop automated systems in the maritime environment that will establish incidences of drug use and aiding of drug importation or exportation.
For instance, a comprehensive drug tests should be carried out on every personnel boarding our ship. Automated rummaging of the ship is equally critical in ridding the ship compartments of every trace of drug”.
Speaking on the role of the media, the NDLEA boss noted that the press has remained an ally and a critical stakeholder in the anti-narcotic agency’s drug control efforts.
Marwa stated that for a robust and effective sensitisation/advocacy, the media, especially the maritime journalists must be carried along.
“We must police our waterways to prevent drug shipments into our country and protect the maritime labour force from possible entanglement with drugs. I want to encourage maritime journalists to develop contents and programmes that will address drug awareness needs of the maritime community.
“The drug problem requires the collaborative and collective efforts of all and sundry especially the media and indeed the maritime journalists. We must all rise in unison to combat the ugly monster of drug demand and supply in Nigeria. I urge you not to relent in your effort at creating awareness and educating our citizens on the danger of drug abuse in our society”, he added.