Nigeria to Unveil Inland Waterways, Coastal Services Plans

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, said that Nigeria would soon unveil its plans for the industry’s Inland Waterways and Coastal Services.

The Minister was quoted to have disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zoe Maritime, Mrs Tosan Edodo-Moore.

Mr Oyetola will unveil the plans at the forthcoming Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting.

Mrs Edodo-Moore said that the federal government, through its Renewed Agenda, was committed to increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, by increasing the revenue generated by the ministry.

“We are pleased to announce the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting (MBRBM) on Security and New Technologies in Inland Waterways Transportation, scheduled for April 18 in Lagos.

“The highlight of the meeting is the intervention of Madam Yan Yuqing the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China.

“Yuqing will share the Sino-Nigeria Maritime Relationship and lessons to be learnt from China, which has the largest Inland Waterways Network in the World.

“Also, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, will unveil the administration’s plans for Inland Waterways and Coastal Services.

“The subject will be dissected by a panel, comprising industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities and security agencies,” she said.

She also said that the panellists would include Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Others are Mr Munirudeen Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Lokoja and Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

It will also include Mr Oluseyi Oluyede, the Managing Director, Niger Benue Transport Co Ltd. and AIG Rhoda Olofu, the Maritime Police Command.

According to her, expected participants are port users, maritime stakeholders, government agencies, banks (with maritime desk), Insurance companies, ship-owners, boat operators, logistics companies, freight forwarders, Oil and Gas companies and foreign entities

Mrs Edodo-Moore said that the benefits of the Maritime Breakfast Roundtable include visibility, growth, networking, impartation and facilitating an exchange of knowledge.