World Maritime Day: Oyetola Promises to sustain Zero Piracy Incidence in Nigerian Waterways

Ahead of Thursday’s World Maritime Day, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has described the theme for this year’s celebration, “Navigating the Future: Safety First,” as a fitting narrative for the current happenings in Nigeria with regard to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s desire to make Nigeria a maritime hub in Africa.

He noted that the first major step by the President in navigating the future for Nigeria was the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, while following it up with other policies and programmes that would ensure the safety of the country’s waterways.

The World Maritime Day is celebrated annually to provide an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of shipping and other maritime activities and to emphasise a particular aspect of the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This is as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has applauded Oyetotola for his drive and tenacity towards ensuring port efficiency.

According to Dantsoho, “The minister has in many respect surpassed expectations, his drive and tenacity is unmatched. He has constantly drum it into our ears that he is focused on delivering results for Nigeria.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, the Minister noted that the theme for the 2024 World Maritime Day, reflects IMO’s efforts at enhancing maritime safety and security, in line with the protection of the marine environment.

On the part of Nigeria, the Minister, while noting that the country has reasons to celebrate, further expressed the country’s commitment to sustaining the gains of the Deep Blue Project, with a view to ensuring maximum security of the country’s maritime domain.

Initiated by the Nigerian Government and led by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Deep Blue Project addresses the complex security challenges in Nigeria’s waterways. Since its full deployment in 2021 within the Nigerian Continental Shelf, maritime security has been significantly enhanced.

The Minister said the enhanced security is “responsible for the record of zero piracy by Nigeria in the last 24 months and it is to be noted that the United Nations Security Council, at its 905th meeting, acknowledged the progress made by Nigeria in maritime security concerning the contributions of the deep blue project.”

The statement further noted the efforts of the ministry at ensuring that the nation’s ports compete favourably with other ports across the globe.

Apart from our rehabilitation and modernisation efforts, we have continued to deploy assets and build infrastructure that would enhance efficient port operations. For instance, only recently, the Minister inaugurated two newly-acquired 80-tonne bollard pull tugboats, by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), which were deployed to enhance the berthing of vessels at the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport.

The vessels are already supporting port security, patrol, and surveillance and are helping to deliver efficient pilotage and towage services to help the growing cargo evacuation needs of the Lekki maritime corridor. All these, the minister revealed, are part of steps towards securing the ports, enhancing their efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime nation in the region.

Oyetola also assured that the new regulatory transportation code, which he unveiled at National Inland Waterways Authority’ s (NIWA) headquaters in Lokoja recently, would significantly standardise water transportation, minimise accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors.

The 2024 World Maritime Day is scheduled to hold in Lagos this Thursday, with Prof. Larry Awosika, Chairman, Commission on the limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), as Special Guest of Honour. The event is expected to bring together stakeholders within the sector.