The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has announced a potential partnership with Admiralty Maritime Services Limited that will reduce the cost of logistics.
The initiative aims to shift the primary burden of cargo and passenger movement from the nation’s overstressed road networks to its extensive coastal and inland waterways.
During a weekend visit from Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba (Rtd), CEO of Admiralty Maritime Services, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, emphasized that water transportation is statistically more affordable than road or rail.
She argued that transitioning freight to water will directly lower the market prices of goods and services, thereby increasing the overall competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.
This collaboration aligns with the broader vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the policy direction of the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, to establish Nigeria as a global maritime leader. A significant pillar of this ambition is the maintenance of piracy-free territorial waters, a milestone Nigeria has sustained for three years.
However, the Ministry acknowledges that future growth depends on tackling specific operational hurdles.
Rear Admiral Abba identified underwater wrecks and the urgent need for strategic dredging in Lagos, Warri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt as critical barriers.
