Nigeria maintains zero piracy in three-Boyetola years

The Minister of the Navy and the Blue Economy, Alh. Adgboyega Oyetola, said Nigeria recorded zero piracy in its waters for three years through the Deep Blue project.

Oyetola revealed him on Thursday during an involvement of the one -day stakeholders held in Lagos.

He said that maritime security remains fundamental for the ministry’s mandate and gained the global commendation of Nigeria and helped regional maritime stability.

He added that Nigeria’s offer to host the combined Maritime Task Force of the African Union in Lagos had received approval from the EA’s Peace and Security Council.

Oyetola praised the efforts of the interested parties, stating a broad support for the renewed agenda of hope of President Bola Tinubu in repositioning the sector for national development.

He said that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a great reform. The approval of his national policy marks a critical turning point.

Politics covers port infrastructures, security, aquaculture, ocean governance, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, coastal tourism and climatic resilience.

“Our meeting today is not ceremonial. It is a working forum to design impossible paintings, establish priorities and allocate institutional responsibilities.

“In doing this, we must improve coordination, guarantee responsibility and develop skills on all operating levels,” said Oyetola.

The minister revealed that a ship blocked in Nigeria was oriented to the port of the island of Tincan on July 2, with 359 goods containers.

He observed that from the Ministry of the Ministry in 2023, he worked with his agencies to effectively implement his ministerial results.

Oyetola said that an evaluation by the presidential policy office and CRDCU showed a 75 % performance score for the Ministry by the end of 2024.

He praised the efforts of the delivery teams throughout the ministry and urged them to remain concentrated and support excellence in their duties.

“Our absolute priority is the modernization of the port infrastructure. Contracts for the rehabilitation of Apapa and Tin ports have been approved.

He added that digital tools such as Port Community System and E-Call-Up would have contributed to reducing delays and increasing investors’ trust.

Oyetola said that the ministry is strengthening the indigenous shipping capacity and reviving the national carrier through a public-private partnership model.

Nimasa, he observed, started preparations for the provision of the Cabotage ship’s financing fund, which will follow a transparent process.

“When operational, the fund will significantly increase the opportunities of Nigerian shipping operators,” he said.

On the disbursement of revenue and services, Oyetola said that the ministry has seen constant growth, better efficiency, closed losses and has attracted private capital in the sector.

He highlighted Niwa’s efforts in the implementation of the regulation of navigable transport in the hinterland of 2023 and in the launch of a national campaign for water safety.

He said that Niwa has distributed over 42,000 safety jackets, has deployed ferries and patrols and trained the marshals, which reduced the boat accidents.

The general customs controller, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by the controller Patrick Ntadi, urged the parties interested in intensifying their commitment for the development of maritime resources.

Dr. Odunayo Ani, president of Wista Nigeria, praised the Ministry for National Policy on the Marine and Blue Economy.

He said that politics has shown the government’s commitment for oceanic governance, economic diversification, the creation of jobs and environmental sustainability.

Ani praised the synergy of the Ministry of Public and Private Stakeholders, describing collaboration as Vitale for the implementation of the national project.

“Wista and groups of other women support gender equity, the development of skills and innovation in the marine and blue economy.

“We welcome recognition by the Ministry of Roles of Women and we will support the agenda through defense, training and partnerships,” said Ani.

The garment Greg Ogbeifun, former president of the Navi owners’ association, praised the ministry and asked for greater involvement of the private sector.

Godfrey Nwosu, Nagaff general secretary, appreciated the Minister for the implementation of the policies that removed the bottlenecks in the maritime sector.

(Nan)

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