The minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated the country’s readiness to digitalise port operations to enhance operational efficiency.
Mr Oyetola said this during the 2024 commemoration of World Maritime Day 2024 with the theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First”, which was held on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that digitalising port operations and improving data management would enhance operational efficiency and minimise the environmental impact of congestion or inefficiency at the ports.
Mr Oyetola, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola, said that to align with goals of safety and sustainability, the ministry would also focus on modernising and optimising port operations.
He said that the adoption of “smart port technologies” was a key element of the ministry’s strategy, which was to digitalise port operations and improve data management.
“We will enhance operational efficiency, reduce delays, and minimise the environmental impact of congested or inefficient port activities.
“This process is being financed through a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The government has also made significant progress in creating a conducive environment for port operations by aligning its policies with global best practices.
“This has enhanced safety, security, and efficiency in our ports, leading to notable reductions in the delays associated with processing exports and imports.
“However, achieving the world-class standards we aspire to will require continued support from the private sector, whose collaboration is essential in providing the resources and state-of-the-art facilities needed to take Nigeria’s maritime industry to a higher trajectory,” Mr Oyetola said.
The minister said that achieving safety in the maritime environment was a goal well within reach, but it requires collective effort.
Mr Oyetola expressed confidence that this edition of World Maritime Day would set the stage for a transformative future, one that drove Nigeria’s maritime sector toward unprecedented growth and prosperity.
The political and economic section chief, U.S. Consulate General, Dr Michael Ervin, said as the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), emphasis should be on the impact in setting international safety standards for ship construction, equipment and operation.
He mentioned that SOLAS was tremendously instrumental in preventing maritime disasters and saving countless lives at sea.
Mr Ervin, however, said the IMO secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, had said there should not be complacency, saying that this year’s theme challenged them to keep pace with the ongoing transformation in the shipping industry.
He said that there was a need to ensure that safety remained at the forefront as they steered toward the future.
“Nigeria, with its vast marine resources and strategic location, is uniquely positioned to play a critical role in global maritime affairs under the leadership of the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola and Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola.
“We are making significant strides in leveraging the economic potential of our ocean resources.
“Through innovative policies and strategic partnerships, we are diversifying our economy and unlocking opportunities in the blue economy while being mindful of our duty to protect the marine environment,” Mr Ervin said.
The director-general of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, said that safety was crucial in the maritime industry.
Mr Mobereola said that the theme of the 2024 World Maritime Day, “Navigating the future, safety first’’, was one of the many ways the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is drawing attention to the ongoing transformation in shipping and innovative solutions that would drive a safer and more sustainable future for the industry.
“There are many challenges in the maritime industry. These challenges also provide opportunities for tremendous success in the industry.
“Rapid technology advancement, environmental concerns, sustainability, and involvement in global trade are some issues affecting the industry.
“While we confront these challenges, we must accord safety an important priority. There is no doubt that NMASA is leading the way to creating a safer, more efficient and sustainable maritime future for Nigeria and beyond.
“As we commemorate this day, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you.
“All your efforts are not just crucial but a trigger to navigating and shaping the Nigerian maritime industry’s future,” Mr Mobereola said.
He thanked IMO, safe harbours, maritime industry stakeholders, global maritime communities, ministries, departments, and agencies, developmental partners and policymakers who continued to work tirelessly to promote safety values in the industry.
He called for the need to strengthen collaboration and cooperation to address the increasingly complex regime due to emerging technologies, saying that they could navigate toward a brighter, safer future for the maritime industry.
Also speaking, the managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, said NPA was proud to announce the development of a Port Emissions Inventory comprehensive tool to measure and monitor emissions from all port-related activities.
Mr Dantsoho, who was represented by NPA executive director, engineering and technical services, Ibrahim Umar, said emissions inventory would allow a clear and precise understanding of the sources of GHG emissions at our ports.
By quantifying these emissions, Mr Dantsoho said that they would be able to develop targeted strategies for reducing them, track the progress, and ensure compliance with both national and international environmental standards.
“This inventory represents a proactive step in addressing the environmental impacts of port operations while enhancing transparency and accountability in our environmental management practices.
“In line with international maritime conventions, the Nigerian Ports Authority has taken steps to enhance existing “Port Reception Facilities’’.
“These facilities are critical for the safe disposal of waste generated by ships, including oil residues, sewage and other hazardous materials, ensuring that maritime operations do not pollute the marine environment.
“Ensuring that these facilities are readily available, adequately maintained and efficiently managed is crucial for reducing the risk of marine pollution.
“Additionally, we are working to expand and modernise these facilities to accommodate the growing volume of maritime traffic and the evolving regulatory requirements aimed at environmental protection,” Mr Dantsoho said.
(NAN)
