The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has stressed the need for journalists to exhibit professionalism and commitment towards developing the maritime industry, organized a one-day workshop in Lagos.
The workshop aimed at enhancing the understanding of the maritime industry and the agency’s regulatory role.
The event, which took place recently at the Kitack Lim Regional Center, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos themed, " ”Regulating the Maritime Industry: The NIMASA Perspective.
The papers presented at the workshop are in three broad areas, which are:
1:NIMASA’s Role in Promoting Nigeria’s Participation in International Shipping,
2: Understanding the International Maritime Regulatory Frameworks,
3:NIMASA’s Enforcement Processes at a Glance.
During the first presentation, Mr. Ogadi gave an overview of the potentials in the shipping business in the country, noting that Nigeria has about 850km stretch of coastline, 7 ports, 28 crude oil terminals, hub to West and Central Africa, bordering 2 landlocked countries (Niger and Chad), having over 200 million people as population, with over 623 million tonnes of wet, dry and gas cargoes on annual basis.
He added that Nigeria has 16 to 22 million barrels of oil reserves, 5 years freight value of about ₦32 trillion averaging ₦6 trillion per annum, largest ship owning country in Africa and 33 on the global list, 291 vessels totalling 7.94 million deadweight tonnes and 30th place in world fleet value with a 0.56% share. He laid out a ten year analysis of cargo through put in Nigeria and noted that between 2010 and 2019, Nigeria had 775.7 million metric tons of cargo and that a 10 year export value of crude oil between 2013 and 2023 amounted to ₦22.1 trillion.
The second and third paper presented by Barrister Peter Agbaminoja, Deputy Director/SA to the Executive Director Operations, NIMASA, in his presentation , "Understanding the International Maritime Regulatory Framework",
He emphasized on the various events that brought about the need for setting of standards, the signing of treaties and reaching of conventions like the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the end of the first world war in 1919 and the end of the second world war in 1945 while also adding that issues such as the sinking of other ships brought about the enhancement of extant laws.
Mr. Agbaminoja also stated the formation of the International Maritime Organisation and its various conventions, the International Labour Organisation and its rules, the formation of the League of Nations which later culminated into the United Nations.
Speaking also at the workshop is the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who was represented by Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations.
Mr. Osamgbi emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in promoting the sector’s growth.
He urged journalists to play an active role in showcasing the untapped opportunities within the maritime industry to the public.
“There is no great nation anywhere that is not a Maritime nation. The resources are out there and this administration has decided that it is our time to tap into our greatness.
“This industry and the future of the Nigerian economy is in the hands of all of us. As media professionals, you are the ones to tell the masses the opportunities that exists in this industry,” said Mobereola.
He encouraged media professionals to highlight opportunities in areas such as sea transportation and fisheries, asserting that the maritime sector holds significant potential for the future of Nigeria’s economy.
Continuing, “After this engagement, we should be very concerned about letting Nigerians know the vast opportunities inherent in the Maritime industry. We can leverage on the sea transportation sub-sector or in fisheries. It is the turn of the media to make this industry great,
By empowering journalists and fostering stronger collaboration with the media, NIMASA aims to enhance public understanding of Nigeria’s maritime industry and ensure that the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry contributes to national development", he stated
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