By Seun Ibiyemi
Some experts at the 2023 Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWeek 2023) have called for an eco-friendly, dynamic and structural solution in addressing pollution in the country.
The week, organised by the ZOE Maritime Resources Ltd., was held in Lagos.
It has the theme, “MARPOL at 50- Pollution from Ships, Africa’s Commitment to Clean Oceans Seas, Inland Waters and the Marine Environment.”
Commenting, the Consul-General, Embassy of Netherlands in Lagos, Mr Michel Deleen, said the structural solutions would ensure the waste on waterways, when removed, do not come back.
According to Deleen, the structural solutions should be for manufacturing companies, plastic wastes, and for addressing the way with which big international cargo vessels call at the port.
He noted that this was because the fuel they used in these vessels are not the best quality, so environmentally, a lot of progress still needs to be made in this regard.
“Recently, we had the World Beach Clean-up Day, but as you clean up the beach one day, the next day everything washes ashore again.
“And so, environmentally, a lot of progress still needs to be made in this regard so as to address pollutions permanently,” he said.
Deleen noted that it was heartwarming that Nigeria now had created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, even as he insinuated that Netherlands was ready to borrow leaf from Nigeria in this regard.
He added that blue economy had much potential; fishery, job creation and most importantly energy which the country would like to collaborate with Nigeria in the future to see how the sector could be developed.
“The blue economy is also an essential part of the business between the Netherlands and Nigeria.
“All the trades between both countries goes through the waterways, fishing is part of the business between Nigeria and the Netherlands,” he said.
Also, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, Abisogon III – the Oniru of Iru Land, called for an eco-friendly and responsible ethics in management of the environmental aspects of the maritime business.
According to Lawal, the realm of his Kingdom is completely surrounded by the ocean and the Lagos Lagoon.
“As the Lord of this realm, marine and port business activities impact on the lives of my people more than any other.
“We will continue to support government businesses, but we insist on more eco-friendly and responsible ethics in management of environmental aspects of the maritime business,” he said.
He also noted that Nigeria now had a better strategy to harness the unlimited potential of the maritime sector in nation building with the creation of the marine and blue economy.
In her goodwill message, Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, urged that discussions should be tailored towards enabling sustainable management of the marine environment.
She also hoped that the engagement would provide insights into addressing challenges in marine transportation, logistics, port development and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and others.
Ajani was represented by, Deputy Director, Cabotage and Shipping Development, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Selia Ekannem.
LIM week is a platform for learning, networking, expanding ones scope and others in the maritime sector.