The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has unveiled plans and agenda to elevate Nigeria’s maritime sector to global standards.
In his address at the BusinessDay Maritime Conference 2024, held in Lagos, the minister expressed his vision aims that will propel Nigeria into the top ranks of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), reflecting the sector’s critical role in economic diversification and sustainable development.
Oyetola emphasized that the Ministry under his leadership has prioritized strategic reforms to enhance operational efficiency and attract investments.
He said a significant initiative is the implementation of the National Single Window and a Port Community System, designed to automate port processes.
These measures he said are intended to improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking and create a more conducive environment for trade and investment.
Highlighting the Ministry’s achievements, Oyetola reported notable progress in revenue generation through innovative strategies aimed at blocking revenue leakages and exploring new sources within the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
He emphasized ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure, including the development of inland dry ports and modernization projects at key ports nationwide. These initiatives are crucial for enhancing the capacity and efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime facilities.
The Minister also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in advancing port modernization, dredging activities, and deploying cutting-edge maritime technologies. He announced plans for developing additional deep-sea ports on a PPP basis, aiming to further strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capabilities. These partnerships are seen as vital to ensuring sustainable growth and leveraging private sector expertise and
Acknowledging the significant contributions of participants in shaping the discourse on Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving excellence within the sector. He expressed optimism that the insights gained from the conference would drive positive transformations, propelling Nigeria towards greater economic prosperity by harnessing its vast maritime resources.
