The minister of marine and blue economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola said the ministry had resolved to consider the re-establishment of a national shipping line through a strategic public-private partnership arrangement.
The minister revealed this at the ministry’s maiden ‘Stakeholders’ Roundtable Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy sector, held in Lagos.
He said bringing back the carrier “is borne out of our desire to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.
Oyetola said a collaborative synergy between the private sector’s efficiency and the public sector’s oversight would bring about transformative impact on the marine and blue economy, boost the creation of substantial job opportunities, facilitate increased trade and investment in the nation as well as reinforce the ministry’s collaborative and forward-looking approach.
He allayed the fears of the local player that the private sector collaboration would in any way impede on their growth.
“This initiative will not seek to impede the growth of local players but rather to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs.
“This would enable our local businesses to better leverage the Carbotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally generated seaborne trade.
“Other anticipated outcomes include the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, reinforcing our collaborative and forward-looking approach,” he said.
The minister explained that the forum was convened to bring together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap and direction that will advance the industry’s potential, promote sustainable blue economy investments and ensure global competitiveness within the sector.
Some areas of discussion at the roundtable bordered on strengthening the blue governance; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and promoting blue economy investments.
“There is an urgent need for a collaborative effort to brainstorm and devise strategies to leverage our marine resources for the betterment of the economy and safety of our planet.
“It is imperative we come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our inland rivers, lakes and waterways are well utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
“This engagement forum is crucial to the development of the sector as it offers an opportunity for us all to collectively contribute our perspectives, ideas and offer relevant inputs that can propel the sector to the trajectory of success necessary to support the development of the economy as well as meet the expectations of Mr. President who took the courage to open up Nigeria to focus on the blue economy value chain,” the minister said.
Furthermore, he said the president’s zeal to better the lot of Nigerians propelled the recent unveiling of the 8eight-point presidential priorities to address critical national challenges which are to be delivered through eight focus areas, namely: economic growth, food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure development, security, healthcare, education, improved governance, and job creation.
“Our ministry though new, is not resting on its oars and has continued to foster inter-agency collaborations and implement initiatives to promote Port efficiency, cargo shipment, maritime security and tap into the resources of the seabed,” the minister said.
Oyetola said he was acquainted with the sector’s challenges and assured the stakeholders of his commitment to “bequeathing to Nigerians a better sector than we have met today”.
