ZAINAB JUNAID
Just as Nigeria is set to join the rest of the world to commemorate 2024 World Maritime Day with the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First”, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Gboyega Oyetola has stressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring it’s agencies operate inline with global safety standards.
In a statement signed by Osagie Edward, Assistant Director/Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on X, Oyetola emphasized the importance of the theme-“Navigating the Future: Safety First”
and how it aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of making the industry contribute largely to the GDP.
To him, “This year’s theme for World Maritime Day is particularly relevant, as safety is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving a robust and business-friendly maritime sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to ensuring that the Blue Economy makes a significant contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Also speaking on the memorable event scheduled to hold in Lagos on Thursday, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), used the medium to assure stakeholders and investors that Nigerian waters are safe for investment and pledged to create enabling environment for growth in the sector.
In his words, “Safety is at the core of our mandate at NIMASA. Whether it’s the safety of lives and property at sea or the safety of investments, we are forward-looking and committed to implementing government policies that will ensure a sustainable future for maritime in Nigeria”.
On his part, the President of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Israel Obada disclosed that the issue of safety could not be over-emphasized in the daily operations of the Nigerian maritime sector.
“As Surveyors, it is pertinent to state that the health of the vessels plying our waterways matters; because the classification of vessels plays a key role in assessing their overall health, which in turn impacts the maritime sector as a whole. This makes safety a priority in the sector, not only in Nigeria, but globally”.
Engr. Emmanuel Ilori, a member of AMES, equally reinforced the importance of prioritizing safety.
He posited that they are eager to collaborate with the Agency, while also ensuring that all ships that ply Nigerian waters are safe, thereby enhancing the safety of lives and property.
This aligns with the goals of the Blue Economy for a sustainable ocean.
“World Maritime Day was first celebrated in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the IMO Convention. Since then, celebrations have taken place worldwide to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment, while emphasizing specific aspects of the IMO’s work. Nigeria’s commemoration of World Maritime Day 2024 is scheduled to take place in Lagos on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The Honourable Minister, Oyetola, along with all the agencies under the Ministry, will be in attendance,” the statement read.
