By Uzor Odigbo
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has assured that the country’s oceans and marine remain safe, reliable and sustainable for economic growth.
Oyetola who assumed office on Monday in Abuja said he was aware that oceans remain vital to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation as well as technological innovation.
The Minister described the nation’s maritime industry as having potential to contribute immensely to revenue generation and job creation.
According to him, “Our oceans cover more than two-thirds of the African planet’s surface.
“As we look ahead, my vision is rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of our marine resources to benefit not only our economy but also the health of our planet.
“Experts say the blue economy is estimated to be worth more than 1.5 trillion Dollars per year globally.
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“Therefore, given our size as a country and considering the size of our blue economy, we should be a significant player in this sector.“
He added that the country needs to introduce ways of ensuring that the inland rivers, lakes, and waterways were adequately utilised in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
He added: “And this can be done by embarking on a holistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important inland waterways so as to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people.
“We equally have a duty to promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.
“As someone with a strong private sector background, we shall promote greater private sector inclusion while fostering greater efficiency through specialisation and the effective delineation of core duties between the units.“
He said the country will ensure that every opportunity is utilized to create positive change that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
The new Minister called on the staff of the Ministry to offer their cooperation for overall national development.
He said: “ I appreciate your dedication, and I look forward to working alongside each of you in the pursuit of a better Nigeria. I must say that I am privileged to be joining this amazing team as the team leader.
“ I want you to know that I am here to support you, to listen to your ideas, and to champion the growth of our marine resources. Together, we shall embark on a journey that holds immense promise and responsibility.
“ I believe that when we are able to do all these and more, we will have contributed our own quota toward realising the President’s renewed Hope Agenda in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.”