Blue Economy: Oyetola bags Exemplary Leadership award, reiterates Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a leading player in Africa
By Ismail Azeez
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to become a leading player in the African marine and blue economy sector.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Executive Director for Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs. Vivian Richard-Edet, stated that Nigeria aims to position itself at the forefront of African nations by harnessing its extensive marine resources to stimulate economic growth and development.
Speaking at the Nigerian NewsDirect 14th Anniversary and Awards ceremony in Lagos, Oyetola said, “We can only promise that we will continue to do our best and ensure that Nigeria remains a leading force among African countries.”
He also commended the management of Nigerian NewsDirect for recognising the significance of the marine and blue economy and presented the Award for Exemplary Service in Public Service to the organisation.
“I would like to thank Nigerian NewsDirect for deeming us worthy of this prestigious award. We are deeply grateful for the honour and recognition,” Oyetola remarked.
“This award is dedicated to all stakeholders in the Marine and Blue Economy sector. We thank you for giving us this opportunity to showcase our efforts and for acknowledging the hard work that we do,” he added.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has made significant strides. In just one year, the ministry was recognised as the “Best Ministry in the Ease of Doing Business,” as adjudged by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
In the first quarter of 2024, the ministry achieved an impressive 92% increase in revenue from maritime services, generating a staggering N242 billion. This figure marked a substantial rise compared to the previous year.
During a prior engagement, Oyetola attributed the remarkable revenue growth to several strategic initiatives. These included a 10% increase in the number of vessels calling at Nigerian ports, spurred by significant investments in port infrastructure. He highlighted that improved security measures, better port facilities, and technological advancements in revenue collection were critical factors in this achievement.
Oyetola further emphasised that the ministry’s efforts were focused on fully utilising Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline and expansive maritime area of 46,000 square kilometres. This strategic initiative aims to maximise the country’s ocean resources while promoting sustainable economic growth.
The minister also pointed out that the ministry had made progress in addressing long-standing issues such as congestion and illegal checkpoints on port access roads. For example, significant improvements have been made in the Tin-Can Island Port corridor, which had previously been notorious for severe traffic gridlock. These improvements have resulted in substantial savings, amounting to billions of naira annually.
Additionally, Oyetola highlighted the ministry’s efforts to enhance port operational efficiency. This included the automation of processes, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improving revenue transparency. Key initiatives, such as the implementation of a Port Community System and the procurement of port scanners, have streamlined operations and further bolstered efficiency.
Oyetola commended Nigerian NewsDirect for the honour it had bestowed upon him and pledged to continue pursuing purposeful, responsible leadership with a patriotic commitment to the country’s progress.
