Nigeria Committed To Stronger Port State Control, Regional Maritime Cooperation-Oyetola
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening maritime safety, environmental protection, and regional cooperation within the framework of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Abuja MoU).
He made this known at the 3rd Bureau of Ministers Meeting of the Abuja MoU in Conakry, Republic of Guinea, according to a statement made available on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
Oyetola underscored Nigeria’s determination to align its maritime governance with international standards while advancing the collective interests of West and Central Africa in global shipping.
He noted that the technical deliberations of the Committee provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in port state control across the region.
Minister Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the objectives of the Abuja MoU, highlighting the concrete steps taken by Nigeria to improve its maritime administration, including the enforcement of port state control and the removal of substandard vessels from its waters.
Oyetola called on all member states of the Abuja MoU to strengthen enforcement mechanisms within their respective jurisdictions and to support the institutional resilience of the Secretariat.
He cautioned against allowing the region to become a dumping ground for substandard vessels and emphasised that poor compliance could lead to accidents and incidents with far-reaching national, regional, and even global implications.
The Minister further noted that effective port state control remains fundamental to unlocking the full potential of the blue economy, particularly in a region where the majority of ships calling at ports are foreign-flagged rather than locally owned.
The Bureau of Ministers, Oyetola explained, would review and endorse the records of the 15th Port State Control Committee Meeting to ensure that officers are well empowered to fulfil their statutory duties.
He reiterated that the Abuja MoU must continue to act as a catalyst for safer shipping practices, stronger compliance, and deeper technical cooperation among member states.
The former Osun state governor assured that Nigeria remains ready to share its expertise and collaborate on initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of port state control in West and Central Africa.
The Minister also underscored the need to strengthen the Abuja MoU Secretariat, calling on member states to meet their financial obligations and demonstrate readiness to host its programmes. These contributions, he noted, are vital to sustaining the Secretariat’s efficiency and ensuring that it can effectively coordinate regional efforts.
