Tackle piracy to enjoy ocean economy, operators tell govt

Maritime stakeholders have advised the government to tackle piracy, illegal fishing, interstate disputes, and transnational crime to enjoy the $2.5tn ocean economy.

They said Nigeria must also address other challenges, such as the smuggling of arms and narcotics, among other multifaceted threats to maritime security.

They disclosed this in Lagos at the 2024 International Maritime Organisation World Maritime Day.

Speaking at the event, the guest speaker and the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, Prof Larry Awosika, advised that ensuring safe, secure, energy-efficient, and low-carbon maritime transport is essential for the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

“Unsustainable maritime practices, including security and environmental degradation, pose significant threats to marine-based industries,” he stated.

Awosika laid out a vision where the blue economy, which encompasses fishing, resource extraction, marine transportation, ecosystem health, and tourism, can thrive only through a foundation of maritime security.

He further expressed concern that investment in marine exploration and tourism could be undermined by such security threats, affecting both national and global economies.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise safety at sea through new investments in infrastructure, science, data, and technology.

On his part, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emphasized the need to address safety and security challenges in the sector, especially in light of new technologies and alternative fuels aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

Oyetola, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola, noted that Nigeria has consistently aligned its regulatory framework with IMO standards and other international maritime regulations, reinforcing its commitment to upholding the highest levels of maritime safety.

“To ensure both shipping safety and operational efficiency, the government must invest in upgrading facilities and building capacity to keep Nigeria competitive in global seaborne trade,” Oyetola stated.

“Achieving world-class standards would require continued support from the private sector, whose collaboration is crucial in providing the resources and state-of-the-art facilities necessary to elevate Nigeria’s maritime industry,” he said.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation, London, Bwala Williams, noted that the IMO’s focus on enhancing maritime safety and security is timely, “particularly as the world commemorates the 50th anniversary of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.”