...commits to prioritize modernization, rehabilitation of ports
Harboursandport.com: Abuja - Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has presented a N10.9bn, 2024 budget for his Ministry to the joint House Committees of the Senate on Marine Transport and the House of Representatives Committees on Ports and Harbour, Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Inland Waterways and Shipping services.
The Minister who made
this known addressing the joint House committees and the Senate at the National
Assembly complex in Abuja, stated that the proposed budget is to enable the
newly created ministry performs its prime role of oversight and monitoring of
the implementation of government policies across agencies under its purview in
the marine and blue economy domain.
According to him, "You
are aware that the 2024 budget is for economic growth, therefore, the Federal
Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its Agencies under the 2024 budget seek
to consider and sustain on the achievements and performances recorded in the
past years", Oyetola outlined.
Speaking further, the
minister noted that the ministry will place primacy on ports infrastructural
development by way of modernization of the Apapa and Tin Can ports that are
dilapidated and have almost reached end of life, while also having plans to
rehabilitate the Eastern ports and equally dredging the inland and coastal
waterways.
A statement signed by
the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi,
noted that Oyetola solicited the committees to appropriate needed funds as
proposed in the budget of the Nigerian Shippers' Council, NSC and the National
Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA to facilitate the projects.
On the need for
rehabilitation of the ports, the Minister stated that as part of the 2006 Act,
enabling concessioning of the ports, the Federal Government still retains
ownership of these ports and it behoves on them as landlords to continually
ensure that the ports are best maintained and kept in optimal state to enable
usage and interest from the concessionaires.
Other focal areas the
Minister noted would include maritime administration, building human capacity
while also harping on an effective technical and economic regulation that will
all ultimately ensure the strengthening of the Blue Economy in Nigeria.
Presenting the
Ministry’s budget accompanied with those of the Agencies supervised by the Ministry
namely Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian
Shippers' Council (NSC), Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and Council for the
Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Oyetola informed the
committee that the NPA, NIMASA and NSC are fully self-funding and also make
reasonable remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF/TSA).
The MAN, Oron, NIWA and
the CRFFN derive their funding from the Federal Government's budget and
internally generated revenue. He also made note of the CRFFN's
appropriation for 2023 which was erroneously removed and requested for the
matter to be revisited.
Spokesperson for the
joint House Committees and the Senate, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine
Transport, Sen. Wasiu Sanni, in his opening remarks welcome all to the
gathering stated that the 2024 budget defence also encompasses performance
review for 2023 which would provide adequate and further insight into
propositions captured in the 2024 budget proposal.
He assured the Minister
of the Heads of the NASS Committees’ commitment of necessary support needed by
the maritime sector to perform optimally, as doing this translates to boosting
remittances to the federation account and as well the overall Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) of the country.
Contributions from
different committee members reflected their expectations of the new Ministry
with emphasis on attracting more ship that call on our ports by way of draught
level, seamless port clearance such as cargo scanners amongst others.
NASS members also shared
unanimous views to support the Ministry on its drive to initiate the coastal
guards, facilitate release of Cabotage funds to aid indigenous shipping lines
and others.
File name: Oyetola Date: 13/12/2023
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