Stakeholders renew commitment for safety enhancement as they mark World Maritime Day
Maritime stakeholders in Nigeria have stressed the critical importance of security for maritime seafarers , infrastructure and environment and called for unwavering commitment for safety.
The stakeholders ,who spoke at the World Maritime Day Celebration which held in Lagos on Thursday, also stressed the need for every stakeholder to arise from this celebration with a stronger commitment to take actions that create a better world for these distinguished calibre of men and women who power the maritime sector.
World Maritime Day on 26 September will highlight the importance of safety at sea in an era of significant transformations and new risks.
Fifty years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – the world’s most important treaty for the safety of merchant ships – the maritime community is at a crossroads, facing rapid advances in technology, global security challenges and the shift to green energy.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the theme for this year’s celebration of World Maritime Day, “Navigating the Future: Safety First,” as an accurate narrative for the current happenings in Nigeria about President Bola Tinubu’s desire to make Nigeria a maritime hub in Africa.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oluruntola, said the first major step taken by the President in navigating the future for Nigeria was the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which was followed by other policies and programmes that would ensure the safety of the country’s waterways.
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).
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.
Oyetola, while noting that the country has reasons to celebrate, expressed the country’s commitment to sustain the gains of the Deep Blue Project, to ensure maximum security of the country’s maritime domain.
He highlighted that the Deep Blue Project which was initiated by the Nigerian Government and led by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), addresses the complex security challenges in Nigeria’s waterways.
He said since its full deployment in 2021 within the Nigerian Continental Shelf, maritime security has been significantly enhanced.
He said: “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”.
He also stated the efforts of the ministry to ensure that the nation’s ports compete favourably with other ports across the globe.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, stated that the partnership with the Mission to Seafarers and the consequent development of the Seafarers Centre are a testament to the agency’s relentless commitment to maritime sector human capital development.
In the words of the NPA MD, “Beyond the fanfare, there is a need for every stakeholder here represented to arise from this celebration with a stronger commitment to take actions that create a better world for these distinguished calibre of men and women who power the maritime sector.
“Cognisant of the impact of the seafarers who propel the maritime sector on our port ratings, the Nigerian Ports Authority in 2023 urgently reconstructed and fully equipped the Mission to Seafarers facility in Lagos to regional best-in-class status to provide shore leave for seafarers.
This is in recognition of the necessity for this special category of men and women who spend weeks on end holed up with only workmates for the company to get on shore to interact and access the internet to contact family, seek welfare, secure medical or psychological support if needed, and have a break from the work environment.
“The partnership with the Mission to Seafarers and consequent development of the Seafarers Centre is a testament to our relentless commitment to maritime sector human capital development.
“Realising that automation is the linchpin of port efficiency, the Nigerian ports are at conclusive stages of the deployment of the Port Community System (PCS), which actually sets the pace for the operationalisation of the National Single Window Project of the Federal Government.
“This is in addition to the comprehensive modernisation of Ports infrastructure and equipment to enhance competitiveness.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, explained that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, working tirelessly to improve navigability, safety, and accessibility across our vast network of rivers and lakes.
“In Nigeria, we have made significant strides in the maritime sector, especially in enhancing our inland waterways infrastructure and services. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, working tirelessly to improve navigability, safety, and accessibility across our vast network of rivers and lakes. Our initiatives have not only facilitated trade but have also provided alternative transportation routes that ease congestion on our roads.
“However, as we celebrate our successes, we must also confront the challenges that lie ahead. Issues such as pollution, climate change impacts, and inadequate infrastructure require urgent attention. It is imperative that we adopt innovative solutions and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to address these pressing concerns effectively.
“I urge each one of you, the government officials, industry leaders, academics, and civil society, to join hands in promoting sustainable practices within our maritime sector. Let us work together to create policies that protect our waterways while fostering economic development. By doing so, we will ensure that future generations inherit a thriving maritime industry that continues to serve as a backbone for trade and commerce,” the NIWA MD stated.
