By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Has stated that safe marine environment is key to boosting the maritime industry as we’ll as the national economy.
Amaechi stated this while speaking as a guest at a book launch in Lagos recently.
He added that safe marine environment is the bedrock that ensures the entire maritime industry contributes significantly to the growth of a nation.
Amaechi said: “Maritime is key to national development and we can’t talk about this without the marine environment. It is in this area that Dr. Mogo has made impressive records with over two decades spent trying to make reforms in environmental assessment, especially for the oil and gas sector.”
While congratulating the author of the book, the former Director, Marine Environment Management Department at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Felicia Mogo, he hailed her contributions to the marine sector.
As Mogo used the book launch to mark her formal exit from Public Service, the Minister noted that the basic thing is the contribution attained during one’s service years.
Amaechi stated that the Transport Ministry and the maritime sector were proud of Mogo’s contributions in Marine Environment Management, noting that the industry will better appreciate her efforts now that she has exited public service.
Earlier, the chairperson of the occasion, Dr. Anne Ene-Ita, stressed that it is imperative for the government to fully explore the potential of the blue economy, noting that giving credence to Dr. Mogo’s book will be a good way to show commitment to the sector.
Also, the High Commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria, Dr Wilfred G. Machage, said, “There’s nothing more gratifying than sharing knowledge with a generation of young leaders who will be taking up similar roles as Dr. Mogo in both public and private sectors.
“Even upon her exit from public service, Dr. Mogo joins the coveted list of our celebrated scholars in the field of marine science and we all know that intellectuals are paragon of virtues and the cream of intelligentsia in all societies.”