By Innocent Orok
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has commended the League of Maritime Editors for always setting agenda in the industry, promising their recommendations is receiving attention at policy making level.
The Minister who was represented at the LOME 25th anniversary held in Lagos on Thursday, describe the theme of the event “Harnessing Nigeria’s Potential in Marine & Blue Economy/The New Customs 2023 Act And its implication on Trade’ as apt because it will afford the gathering the opportunity to examine the contributions of the Marine and Blue Economy sector to trade, commercial development and growth of our nation’s economy.
” This is also the basis of the ministerial deliverables given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to me and my ministry”, the Minister said.
” I should describe the theme for your Silver Jubilee Anniversary: ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Potential in Marine & Blue Economy/The New Customs 2023 Act And its implication on Trade’ as apt because it will afford this august gathering the opportunity to examine the contributions of the Marine and Blue Economy Sector to trade, commercial development and growth of our nation’s economy. This is also the basis of the ministerial deliverables given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to me and my ministry. We have since taken steps to involve all the agencies under the Ministry to key into this mandate.
“I must admit that my Ministry has been enjoying a symbiotic relationship with the Maritime Editors with agenda-setting for the maritime sector of which my 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 of which I am a principal figure. Even though I am a pioneer minister specifically for the Sector, I have set up machinery and structures for the Sector and made all principal actors and agencies irrevocably key into realizing the potential of the Sector for job creation, social development, increased contributions to national growth and economic development.
“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.
“Your suggestions and recommendations whenever you evaluate the industry, at the policy-making level, sometimes receive your suggestions from critical perspectives. However, we do not fail to distil and apply the best of your suggestions, thus leading to plausible progress in policy application in the maritime sector. It is therefore no surprise today, that we are collectively witnessing the progress which we are seeing today, in the sector.
“It is on the earlier mentioned bases that I challenge your League to be patriotic and realistic when setting agenda not just for those at the policy-making level but also for the agencies, noting the ever-present challenges to a sector which has not taken the front stage of attention in the past, but which we are all trying to bring up to be at par with developments in many of the frontline maritime and blue economy nations of the world.
“I submit that the partnership between the League of Maritime Editors and my Ministry is such that we will cherish and wish to nurture it to an all-time high as much as time, resources and other policy determinants will allow us.
“I therefore salute the League of Maritime Editors on this occasion of your 25th Annual Retreat/Awards held today and wish you the very best in your endeavours”, the minister said.
