NIMASA, Navy To Partner On Blue Economy

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Navy have inaugurated a Committee to establish ways in which the synergy between both organs of government can be channeled into creating a welcoming environment for investment in the Blue Economy. Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA Osagie Edward, in a statement said, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC West), Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, who inaugurated the 8-Man Committee charged them to come up with policies to create a welcoming maritime environment for investment in the Nigerian Blue Economy. Membership of the 8-Man Committee includes on the Navy side, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, FOC, Western Naval Command; Cdre K.O. Oguntuga, Commander NNS Beecroft; Cdre N.S. Kaman, COO Western Naval Command and Capt. A. U. Tijani. The Committee members representing NIMASA namely, Director Deep Blue Project, Chief Otonye Obom; Head Shipping Development, Kurahson Inuwa; Head, ISPS, Isa Mudi; and Deputy Director,  Cabotage Services, Aisha Usman Dangote. You will recall that the Agency’s Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, during a visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Navy to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos recently, had announced the constitution of an 8-Man committee, comprising four each from the Navy and NIMASA. 

Blue Economy Top Agenda As Jamoh, Pauli Meet In Abuja

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has met with Professor Gunter Pauli to discuss how Nigeria can advance its Blue Economy.  Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA Osagie Edward, in a statement said, the Abuja meeting is a follow up to the session the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had with Professor Pauli, where the need for the NIMASA DG to meet with experts like Gunter Pauli, was highlighted. Jamoh noted that having Professor Pauli interphase with stakeholders of the new Ministry would definitely help develop viable policies for the smooth take-off of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. “I had the opportunity to meet the man that formulated the global policies around Blue Economy, and we have discussed various ways to harness the resources in the Nigerian waters in a sustainable manner. He has expressed his willingness to work with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to formulate policies that will help Nigerians begin to enjoy the gains of the establishment of the Ministry,” Jamoh said. On his part, Prof Pauli said he is willing to assist the Nigerian government develop policies around the Blue Economy for the benefit of Nigerians. Prof. Pauli, an economist and entrepreneur, created models of the Blue Economy, which is now a global concept. He has worked with many countries to draw policies for their blue economies.

Oyetola assumes office as Minister, Marine and Blue Economy

*Pledges Responsible Management and Utilisation of Marine Resources The newly appointed Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has assumed office with a pledge to build a responsible management that will ensure efficient utilisation of the nation’s marine resources. Oyetola who made this known on assumption of duty at the Ministry in Abuja expressed happiness at the honour accorded by Mr President to champion and chart a course for the the growth of marine resources, urging the management team to support him to deliver on Ministerial mandate. Oyetola observed that regarding the size of Nigeria’s blue economy, it cannot but be a significant player in the sector which is estimated to be about a $3 trillion globally. Furthermore, he said the blue economy has the capacity to contribute immensely to revenue generation and provide jobs for the unemployed, hence the need to properly harness it. Speaking on fostering and facilitating trade by making our inland waterways navigable, Oyetola said: “We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our Inland rivers and waterways are properly utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation and this can be done by embarking on a wholistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important waterways so as to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people”. In her welcome speech, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy/Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, promised a smooth working relationship with the Minister, stating that together they can move the Marine and Blue Economy forward and make it more impactful to the economy of Nigeria. Speaking on efforts made thus far, the Permanent Secretary stated: “We have done a bit in terms of Blue Economy in the country before now. There is a Committee that is being Chaired by the former Vice President working on the Blue Economy and there is an expanded Committee that brings in everyone that is within the waters, so now that we have a stand alone Ministry, we hope and desire that it will impact alot to the economy of the country and move our nation forward”