Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of six new Executive Directors in two agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
According to a statement late on Thursday by Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, three executives were appointed to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) each.
For the NPA, Mrs Vivian C. Richard Edet was appointed as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration (NPA), Mr Olalekan Badmus — Executive Director of Marine and Operations (NPA), and Mr Ibrahim Abba Umar — Executive Director of Engineering and Technical Services (NPA).
For NIMASA, Mr Jibril Abba was appointed as the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services (NIMASA), Mr Chudi Offodile — Executive Director, Finance & Administration (NIMASA), and Mr Fatai Taye Adeyemi — Executive Director, Operations (NIMASA).
According to the statement, the President approved the appointments with the firm belief, “after studying their impressive profiles, that the new appointees will expeditiously and efficiently execute on their collective mandate to create the conditions required to significantly raise the contribution of the Marine and Blue Economy sector to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).”
The statement said this will be done while evolving the Nigerian economy into a labour-intensive and inclusive one that creates new opportunity for all Nigerians in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda, under the able guidance of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.
Mr Oyetola upon his assumption said his ministry would make efforts to play a critical role in Nigeria’s quest to earn foreign exchange (FX) to strengthen the Naira which continues to depreciate against the US Dollar.
Oil sales contribute about 80 per cent of the forex earnings of the country. The dwindling contribution of the commodity to the Nigerian economy is largely responsible for the current FX crisis as the country cannot maximize the mainstay due to crippling theft, underinvestment, and continuous pipeline vandalism.
Mr Oyetola said his ministry was determined to improve the country’s balance of trade by promoting export through the potentials in the sector, which is crucial to earning forex and strengthening the value of the Naira.
According to him, his ministry was poised to enhance the maritime sector to enable it to add value to the national economy.
