World Maritime Day: FG Reiterates Commitment To Promoting Global Maritime Safety Standards
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment in promoting maritime safety for seafarers, infrastructure, and the environment to attain a robust and sustainable development in the nation’s Maritime industry.
Oyetola made this known while delivering his Keynote address at the 2024 World Maritime Day Celebration themed : “Navigating the Future: Safety First” , according to a statement made available on Friday by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Muhammad Zakari in Abuja.
Oyetola who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, said this year’s theme is particularly relevant, as Safety is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving a business – friendly Maritime sector.
He noted that the annual event provides an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s progress in maritime development as well as positioning the sector as a key driver of national economic growth.
Speaking further the minister disclosed that 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1974 adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the world’s most important treaty for the safety of merchant ships.
The Minister reinstated the country’s commitment to aligning its regulatory framework with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and other global regulations.
He also stressed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, significant investments are being made in port modernization through public-private partnerships, aimed at reducing inefficiencies, lowering operational costs, and enhancing safety.
The Minister therefore, called for continues collaboration with the private sector to achieve a world-class standards in Nigeria’s maritime industry, stressing the importance of state-of-the-art facilities in elevating the sector to a higher level.
On his part, the Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Larry Awosika said: “The theme for this year’s World Maritime Day Celebration offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on the current state of Nigeria’s Maritime industry and to chart the way forward for a safer, more sustainable future for our nation’s waterways and global trade
According to him, “our Maritime sector has long been a cornerstone of the country’s economy, driving majority of our international trade”, noting that despite it’s immense potential, the industry is grappling with a number of challenges that threatens to undermine it’s full capacity.
” Maritime security according to him, remains a pressing issue, with piracy, armed robbery at Sea and other illicit activities persisting in the Gulf of Guinea, which not only disrupt trade, but also endanger lives and raise insurance costs, making the country’s shipping routes less attractive to international operators.
As a measure to strengthening Maritime security therefore, Awosika called on the Federal government to deepen regional and international cooperation as well as implement the Deep Blue Sea Project, enhance surveillance, improve training for Maritime security personnel, and invest in cutting – edge technology like drones and satellite monitoring systems.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola described the World Maritime Day event as more than a commemoration, but a reaffirmation of the vital role the maritime sector plays in sustaining global trade, fostering economic growth and driving sustainable development.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Maritime Safety and Security in the Ministry, Mr. Babatunde Bombata said this year’s theme serves as a reminder and a call to action to place safety at the forefront of every decision and every action within the maritime domain because without prioritizing safety, we risk not only human lives but also the ecosystems and economies that rely on our oceans.
According to Oloruntola, “in an era of rapid technological change, where innovations like autonomous vessels, renewable energy platforms and artificial intelligence are reshaping the landscape, our commitment to safety must be unwavering. These advancements present great opportunities, but they also introduce new risks.
” We must therefore, ensure that these technologies enhance safety standards rather than compromise them, guiding us into a future where innovations and safety works hand in hand”, the Permanent Secretary said.
