How Seafarers’ Centre in Apapa ‘ll Boost Naira Value, GDP, Says Oyetola
POLITICS DIGEST – Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola said the Nigeria’s Seafarers’ Center in Apapa, was part of the efforts of President Bola Tinubu led administration to improve Nigeria’s balance of trade through export promotion, which in his words, is crucial to strengthening the value of the Naira and by extension the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Oyetola, who spoke at the unveiling of the Centre rebuilt by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in collaboration with The Mission to Seafarers (TMS), yesterday, said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under his leadership, was determined to cater for the seafarers visiting the nation’s sea ports, so as to give the Nigerian ports the needed comparative advantages.
He said: “Improving Nigeria’s balance of trade which is crucial to strengthening the value of the Naira and creating employment is top on Mr. President’s policy agenda,” adding that “given the pivotal role that the maritime sector plays in actualising this noble objective, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is determined to equip seafarers and all maritime workers with the enabling tools to tackle and overcome work-related challenges. This is part of our concerted effort to ensure the maximisation of the comparative advantages that our maritime resources present,” Oyetola stated.
“The reconstruction of this facility will undoubtedly scale up Nigeria’s rating in the global maritime community. With increasing global competition, it has become imperative for the nation to make conscious effort to deepen the competitiveness of the ports,” saying the idea behind the rebuilding of the purpose-built facility, is to provide vital social, psychological and emotional support to the crewmen and women who drive global trade in and out of Nigeria, and as well equip seafarers and all maritime workers with the enabling tools to tackle and overcome work-related challenges.
He said: “I regard today’s commissioning of this facility timely and very much in tandem with the economic goals of this government. I must commend the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority for their visionary intervention in transforming this facility, into a regional best-in-class that it is today,” saying, “it has become imperative for nations to make conscious efforts to deepen the competitiveness of their ports. The reconstruction of this facility will undoubtedly scale up Nigeria’s rating in the global maritime community.
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“Let me seize this moment to reaffirm the renewed commitment and result-oriented approach of the Ministry, and I want to challenge all heads of maritime agencies to be more audacious and innovative in spearheading smart initiatives like this, which create opportunities and open up new vistas of growth.” You can rest assured of my unflinching support towards the implementation of such initiatives,” the Minister said and urged all stakeholders to continue to maintain the investments put into building the facility.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko said it was expedient for the authority to collaborate with global institutions like the Mission To Seafarers to facilitate international trade.
He said “with an estimated number of 4000 foreign flagged ships visiting our shores annually, which implies 300 vessels and a minimum of 6,000 seafarers every month, it has become expedient that we intensify our collaborations with global institutions like the MTS to encourage Shore Leave and Crew Change and of course reap the concomitant benefits for coastal tourism and the projection of positive image and reputation for Nigeria.
“Already, we are witnessing improvements of inland traffic to and from our ports. These, coupled with developments in intermodal transportation, as occasioned by our advancing rail system, are bound to encourage and stimulate immense opportunities in the maritime ecosystem,” Bello-Koko said.
According to him, being a coastal nation and the sub-regional economic powerhouse as well as the continent’s most populous nation, has compelled Nigeria to take advantage of every opportunity to deepen its port competitiveness and rating.
Bello-Koko said that seafarers are highly treasured assets in whom the Nigerian Ports Authority is well pleased, adding that this intervention is only one of many more to come in a not too distant future.
He, however, assured MTS of unwavering commitment of the authority to improving seafarers’ welfare in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, Adebayo Sarumi, Chairman of the Mission to Seafarers (MTS), said in addition to rebuilding the Seafarers’ Centre, there is a need to rebuild jetty and protect the shoreline to the centre to enable to access the facility through water.
Represented by Yetunde Akinluyi, member of management team of MTS Lagos, Sarumi said the Mission wants to ensure that the Nigerian Ports are not only a home away from home, but portray a new perception of Nigeria.
He added that the needs of seafarers involve advocacy for shore leave, legal assistance, counselling, pastoral care and increasing psychological support.