The Nigeria International Maritime Summit ( NIMS),2022 is a deliberate effort to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable blue economy and reduction of carbon emissions.
Chairman of the Summit, Barr. Mfon Ekong Usoro stated this in her welcome address to the summit organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with Nigeria International Maritime Summits and Symposia.
She noted that the summit with the theme: “Igniting the Blue Economy” is holding at the most auspicious time.
She said the event is holding “At a time when global attention is concentrated on the preservation of our planet and all its life forms through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions including from ships particularly ships engaged in international voyages as evidenced in the just concluded COP 27hosted by Egypt”
She noted that the NIMS has carved a niche for itself as the forum where maritime and related industries comprising the public and the private sectors converge to engage brilliant minds on issues of global importance, touching on burning concerns outside the confines of domestic or regional interests.
Usoro stated that NIMS, is a coalition of the organised Nigerian maritime private sector under a broad-based industry governing board and advisory council constituted by stakeholders in ship operations, ports management, insurance, finance and professional services
She noted that this year’s summit has come with an innovative collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and its Agencies with NIMS, a partnership she says has developed into a desirable collaboration to further the interrogation of identified development needs and challenges of the Nigerian and wider African maritime industry in the context of regional strategies and international commitments without jeopardizing the independence of thoughts and honest engagements on issues.
“What you see today is the result of the excellent collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and we appreciate the Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their respective roles in making this happen. Same appreciation goes to the Agencies in particular the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) for cooperating with the Ministry in this collaborative endeavour,” she said.
She noted that last year, the keynote address was delivered by Her Excellency, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission with participants at the high-Level panel discussions from South Africa and the United States.
“At this year’s summit, we have speakers from across Africa and Europe including Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia and the United Kingdom and many more participating virtually,” she said.
She stated that the organisers of the summit went an extra mile to bring the “Numero Uno” of the maritime world to deliver the keynote address for the summit
“Apart from the keynote address, the summit offers a rich menu that covers decarbonization in shipping and greenhouse gas emissions, the available alternatives during the maritime transition period to zero-sulphur fuel, harnessing the wealth of the waters and financing maritime assets; and a first-hand feedback on the implementation status and challenges around the implementation of the IMO Res. A1147 (31) on gender equality, and a barrier-free working environment for women in the maritime community,” she said
Usoro assured that the summit would demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity as a regional maritime superpower that is conscious of its domestic, regional and international responsibilities, stressing that it will showcase the intellectual resource Nigeria is blessed with.
She expressed appreciation for the presence of the IMO General Secretary Kitack Lim and his delegates ,assuring them of warm hospitality of Lagos,the center of excellence.
