The silver jubilee of the League of Maritime Editors which took place at the prestigious Lagos Travel Inn, 39/41, Toyin Street, Ikeja has come and gone but the communique that arises from the event remains topics for national discuss. It could be noted that the event which also covered their annual Retreat had two major themes;
Harnessing Nigeria’s potential in marine and blue economy as one and the new Customs act and its implication on trade as the second. The President of LOME, Chief Timothy Okorocha in his welcome address, urged President Bola Tinubu to provide the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and his ministry, the needed impetus to make this issue of blue economy which is becoming a sing sung a reality. “We appeal to Mr. President to use his good office to prevail on the relevant authorities to respond to the needs of our industry as there can be no better time than now. We also salute Mr.
President’s bold steps and visionary outlook and do hereby with utmost respect urge to exercise the required political will to push farther by ensuring that the oft routine talk about the rehabilitation of collapsed critical port infrastructure receives urgent executive attention.“As development partners, the League looks forward to the effective participation of the respective agencies in the current administration’s renewed agenda template; and want to see the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) move away
from the ritual of endless talk and lamentable into doing the needful, the reconstruction of broken down asset and infrastructure,” he added.The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented by Tincan Island Port Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni spoke on the new Customs Act and its implication on
trade. He said “The recent enactment of the Customs Act 2023 brings with it a new focus on trade facilitation particularly in the maritime sector, and addresses emerging challenges in international trade, ensuring better enforcement, regulation and compliance”Comptroller Nnadi mni, who is today synonymous with impacting knowledge at different fora did one of the things he knows how to do best as he went ahead to breakdown some of the new provisions of the Act in sections, especially as it affects modern trade.“The new law introduces tariff incentives for businesses engaging in environmental friendly practices within the blue economy. This encourages the adoption of sustainable fishing methods, responsible aqua culture and friendly shipping practices which is the bane of international trade. It enhances surveillance of
Maritime activities,” he said.Speaking at the event also, the Chief Executive Officer, Kamany Marine Services, Dr. Charles Okorefe, noted that there is a projection of over 100 million jobs through the nation’s blue economy in about 30 years. Dr. Okorefe, who is also a lecturer at the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, stressed that a lot could be harnessed through the nation’s marine system and the blue economy.“Nigeria has been a maritime nation for a very long time. We have been running our port systems beginning from when the Port-Harcourt port was established in 1912 and the Apapa port in 1924. Up till now, we have had several ports doting the landscape of Nigeria where import and export trades take place. But the blue economy is deeper than that.“We are talking about things like biodiversity, ocean exploration, deep sea mining, cable lining, and maritime tourism. These are things that are absent in Nigeria. If you go to some other parts of the world, a small country like Gambia, for instance, marine tourism is the main source of their national income,” he further said.The Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olujimi Oyetomi spoke on behalf of the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola CON at the occasion. “I have given my commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the nation, that the Marine and Blue Economy Sector will witness a rapid transformation within the shortest possible time. I must admit that my Ministry has been enjoying a symbiotic relationship with the Maritime Editors with agenda-setting for the maritime sector where the Ministry is the leading policy-making body. I wish to add that most of the suggestions of the Maritime Editors were received in good faith by the management of the Ministry,” the Minister said.The President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) Otunba Frank Ogunojemite in his speech attributed some of the challenges faced by operators at Nigerian ports to neglect by the Federal Government. “For over a week, freight agents have been having issues due to server failure at the port attributable to the
incompetence of Webb Fontaine, the Customs IT service provider. When the problem is fixed, will there be a compensatory arrangement or waivers for the rent period at terminals?” Otunba Ogunojemite queried. The occasion attracted other dignitaries, maritime journalists and many more stakeholders. Among the guests are Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, DC Husseini Ejibunu, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Dr. Charles Okoroefe, Mr. Olujimi Oyetomi and many others who represented their principals.
No comments:
Post a Comment