The federal government has commenced processes for the modernisation of ports across the country to ensure competitiveness in the global maritime space.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola disclosed this on Thursday at the 2024 Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Dockworkers’ Day, Themed: “Dockworkers: Key to Unlocking Nigeria’s Blue Economy” in Lagos.
He assured that the federal government will continue to create enabling environment to encourage the participation of the Private Sector in maritime.
“The Ministry in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority in a quest to reposition the nation’s ports has commenced processes for the modernization of our ports, which are to address dilapidating state of the port infrastructures to enhance efficiency and ensure competitiveness in the global maritime space.
“The Federal Government through the Ministry will continue to create enabling environment to encourage the participation of the Private Sector in order to address the infrastructural gaps in the maritime sector to enhance service delivery. This is necessary to be able to attain the goals, enhance opportunities and harness the immense benefits in the sector.
“As you are all aware, the maritime sector plays a pivotal and significant role in the socio economic development of the country. I wish to emphasize that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and its mandate will continue to pursue vigorously the development of the shipping, maritime and related sectors in order to ensure sustainable development.
” In addition, the Ministry will ensure that the Agencies under its supervision implement necessary projects and programmes to help in achieving Ministry’s deliverables signed with Mr. President”.
Oyetola said the present administration has “committed to maximally harnessing potentials in marine and blue economy sectors to ensure improved productivity, creation of jobs for our teeming youths, increase in revenue generation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in order to attain sustainable development in the country”.
The minister disclosed that ,”the Ministry facilitated the conclusion of Agreement on Minimum Conditions of Service for Labour in the Nigerian Shipping Industry which was recently signed by relevant stakeholders in the sector. This marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a maritime sector built on principles of fairness, respect, and sustainability”.
