Oyetola: Between Discipline, Efficiency and Silent Achievements
By Kabir Akintayo
It was on a Tuesday morning, when the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, presented his ministry’s first-year report, to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.
Oyetola spoke alongside three other ministers which include: Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Yusuf Tuggar of Foreign Affairs. Coordinated by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the ministerial sectoral update is meant for all the ministers to give an account of their performance in office since their appointment in August 2023.
For a programme scheduled to start at 10:00 am, Oyetola arrived the Radio House Media Centre 30 minutes earlier, precisely at 9.30am. He was therefore rewarded with the right to speak first.
As highlighted in his report, the Marine and Blue Economy sector under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, is set to become a cornerstone of the nation’s economic diversification strategy.
To further prove this, the agencies under the Ministry, which include; the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), and, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), generated N243.8b within the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which saw N123.3b income only. That is a whopping 92 percent increase.
Oyetola’s Ministry is tasked with harnessing Nigeria’s extensive marine resources. With a coastline stretching 853 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean and a maritime area covering 46,000 square kilometres, Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from its strategic location and abundant marine resources.
Oyetola, emphasising the importance of the recent expansion of Nigeria’s continental maritime domain, which now includes an additional 16,300 square kilometres, said during his speech that the expansion is a significant milestone, enhancing the country’s marine resource base and positioning Nigeria as a major player in global maritime trade.
Marine and Blue Economy encompass all economic activities related to water, including fishing, cargo businesses, and other commercial ventures.
Despite being just nine months old, the ministry has made significant strides in developing a national policy framework to create an enabling environment for the sector. A comprehensive four-year Key Results Framework and Implementation Plan has been developed, with a final policy expected by December 2024. This policy aims to facilitate the development of an inclusive maritime and blue economy, adhering to global best practices.
Recently, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture was moved to the Blue economy sector, where it rightly belongs. Oyetola, without hesitation, made some strategic moves by organising a stakeholder engagement with the Indigenous Fish Importers and Exporters Association and members of the Nigerian Fish Dealers Association, Producers and Processors.
Oyetola identified Fisheries and Aquaculture as a key component of the blue economy and, hence, a major focus of his ministry’s action plan.
He also partnered with Delta Systematics Group to enhance fish production, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in fisheries. Such an initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and significantly contribute to the country’s GDP.
One of the most notable achievements of the ministry in its first year, aside from the substantial increase in revenue, is the strategic investments in port infrastructure, including the procurement of mooring boats, patrol vessels, and the dredging of port channels.
Also, efforts to decongest ports have been fruitful, with the Tin-Can Island Port corridor in Lagos experiencing a significant reduction in traffic gridlock. This improvement has ended the multi-billion-naira annual loss due to port congestion, marking a major victory for the industry. This led to a 10% increase in the number of vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
The ministry has also completed several key projects, including the Funtua Dry Port and the rehabilitation of port access roads in Onne, Tin Can, and Apapa. Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works has been instrumental in these achievements, ensuring that ports across the country are more efficient and accessible.
The ministry has also made strides in improving port operational efficiency. The implementation of a port community system and the deployment of port scanners according to the minister, are underway to streamline port processes and enhance transparency. Efforts to reduce the number of agencies at seaports and the adoption of a National Single Window initiative are aimed at facilitating efficient trade processing.
Maritime security remains a top priority for the ministry. The Deep Blue Project has been instrumental in reducing piracy and maritime terrorism, with Nigeria recording zero incidents of piracy within its territorial waters. Enhanced port state inspections and the removal of wrecks have also contributed to safer and more navigable waters.
The development of inland water transportation has seen the deployment of new passenger boats and water ambulances, improving safety and accessibility. The installation of electronic tidal gauges and the free distribution of life jackets further underscore the ministry’s commitment to safety on the inland waterways.
The ministry is also focused on blue economy development, with initiatives such as marine resource mapping and the establishment of offshore waste reception facilities. Partnerships with international organisations aim to enhance communication and e-navigation for sea-going vessels, while climate change initiatives like the Green Maritime Africa Coalition are set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In the shipping and maritime trade sector, the ministry is working towards the establishment of a national flag carrier and the operationalisation of the Regional Maritime Development Bank. These initiatives will reduce capital flight and create shipping jobs, enhancing Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime trade.
The Minister also said the ministry has made significant progress in international engagements, ratifying several international maritime conventions and protocols. These efforts ensure that Nigeria remains compliant with global maritime standards, fostering a safe and sustainable marine environment.
Oyetola’s comprehensive report highlights the remarkable achievements of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in its first year. With continued focus and strategic investments, Nigeria’s marine and blue economy is set to become a major driver of industrialisation, economic growth and development.
