The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will not scrap the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
LEADERSHIP reports that the NSDP is a capacity-building initiative by NIMASA aimed at training Nigerian youth for maritime careers. It focuses on developing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the local shipping industry, especially within the Cabotage Act.
Speaking at the 27th edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards, held in Lagos, Oyetola said the key focus of the Ministry is to empower Nigerian youths in the maritime sector.
“We are not scrapping the NSDP. A key focus of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is empowering Nigerian youths in the maritime sector, equipping them with the skills and expertise to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”
Meanwhile, the minister refuted claims that the federal government deliberately planned to sabotage the Eastern ports.
According to him, there is no deliberate plan to underutilised Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt seaports.
“No responsible government sets out to undermine projects that hold the promise of long-term benefits for its people. The policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are firmly anchored in a vision of inclusive economic growth, driven by diversification, sectoral revitalisation, and the overarching goal of improving the lives and livelihoods of all Nigerians.”
“In line with this objective, we have commenced the procurement process for the comprehensive modernisation of the Eastern Ports, aimed at revitalizing port infrastructure, en-hancing operational capacity, and attracting greater commercial activity to the region.
“Also, one of the eastern ports, Onne Port in Rivers State – now receives container vessels of comparable size to those that berth at the ports in Lagos. This transformation is not coincidental and is the direct result of deliberate government action aimed at repositioning the port as a competitive alternative in the nation’s shipping landscape.
“Today, Onne Port stands equipped and ready to compete for vessel traffic, offering shippers and operators greater flexibility and efficiency. Complementing this is the ongoing reconstruction of the East-West Road, a critical infrastructure project that will greatly ease the inland movement of cargo from the port and facilitate seamless trade across the region.
“Together, these efforts speak to a broader commitment: to unlock the full potential of our port infrastructure in all parts of the country, to decentralize economic activity, and to ensure that the benefits of national development are more evenly distributed.”
“The path to prosperity requires intentionality and we are treading that path with focus, diligence, and the resolve to deliver tangible results for our people.”
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