By Obiabin Onukwugha
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has led heads of sister agencies and industry stakeholders on a 3-day strategic retreat on developing a road map and strategic plan for the Nigeria.
During the retreat, which took place between Thursday to Saturday in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Oyetola tasked stakeholders in the maritime industry to cultivate environmental stewardship that spearheads vision and harness the vast opportunities within the country’s maritime and aquatic sector.
Oyetola also tasked the stakeholders to work and reposition Nigeria as a premier maritime nation by using the potential of its blue economy to diversify revenue.
The minister urged all involved to ensure that the agenda of the federal government is met for the realization of the project.
Oyetola during the retreat further called on the stakeholders to engage in discussions that will spearhead Policy and Road Map/Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He also thanked participants at the retreat for the key roles they are playing in developing the marine and blue economy sector.
He said: “I am grateful for the insights from policy experts, stakeholders, Heads of Agencies, Ministerial Aides, and indispensable Ministry staff. Together, we are shaping a path of strategic excellence and collaboration, united in our commitment to advancing our shared goals.”
Earlier, Hajia Kadija Bukar Ibrahim, Chairman House Committee on Marine Economy, assured the ministry of the committee’s working relationship to ensure that the roadmap becomes a policy and we’ll legislated.
She said that her committee sees the Marine business as a major source of Nations economy, with an emphasis that as a matter of oversight function her committee is there to help the Marine and Blue Economy to become one of the best ministries in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Abdulsamad Dasuki, House Committee on Shipping services, said his committee, is currently working on Maritime policy to ensure that the country has a holistic regulation that would ensure a viable marine business in Nigeria.
Also at the retreat was the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Mohamed Bello-Koko.