Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola, has promised to revive the nation’s maritime sector to compete with its foreign counterparts.
Oyetola emphasised his commitment to revitalizing the industry through partnerships with private sectors.
He envisages a collaborative effort that integrates private investment with public to bring the sector back to life.
Oyetola stated this during a maritime interactive session at the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja,
The summit, he said, was aimed at proffering solutions to the impediments hindering the sector’s growth, widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy.
“One of the things we are trying to do now is the rehabilitation of all the ports, and it will cost a billion dollars. If we don’t do that, the ports will collapse”, Oyetola said.
He added that efficiency in cargo clearance and the use of technology were very key to ease of doing business at the ports.
The minster further stated the mandatory implementation of scanners at ports, striving for real-time clearance and reducing the burden of physical examinations on all containers.
Oyetola urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity and contribute innovative ideas to reinvigorate the sector.
Earlier,Chief Executive Officer, Maritime Innovations Hub, Princess Ronke Kosoko, said the burden of maritime revitalisation cannot rest solely on the president or the minister.
Kosoko urged all stakeholders to unite, break free from competitive isolation, and collaborate to fulfil the shared vision of a thriving maritime industry contributing significantly to Nigeria’s projected $1 trillion economy.