— says feat is global recognition of reforms in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has expressed happiness over the election of the  Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho over his election as the first Nigeria to lead Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA.

Dantsoho was elected as the chairman of the Continental maritime body during the closing ceremony of the 44th annual council and 19th roundtable of Directors General of PMAWCA in Conakry-Guinea.

Oyetola described the election of Dantsoho as a global recognition of  the government efforts to revamp the Nigerian Maritime industry.

The Minister said the recognition will further fuel Nigeria’s effort to reclaim its maritime global relevance under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He said the political will of the President to create the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“I congratulate Dantsoho for his election, it is a responsibility that I am sure he can deliver on.

“His election has proven the renewed hope agenda of Mr President to turn around the port economy by creating the Marine and Blue Economy was a step in the right direction.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create the Ministry is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

” This decision is not only a demonstration of the President’s deep understanding of the economic possibilities of the sector, but also a clear indication of his political will to ensure that Nigeria reclaims its rightful place as a key maritime player globally” Oyetola declared.

In his acceptance speech, Dantsoho said the recognition represents a significant milestone in the continuing march of West and Central Africa Maritime states towards global competitiveness and delivery of world class services.

He added that the Nigerian government commitment to a revolutionary turnaround of Nigeria’s maritime industry, has been characterised by reforms in critical segments of the industry, including port rehabilitation and modernisation, infrastructure, digitisation and automation.

These measures, he added, would undoubtedly boost operational efficiency as well as revenue generation, while augmenting the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy by boosting non-oil exports.

According to him, “It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before my friends from the countries of West and Central Africa today to  accept the mantle of leadership of our great association, PMAWCA and to serve as its chairman.

“I would like to seize this occasion to affirm Nigeria’s will and  determination clearly demonstrated by the Hon Minister of Marine & Blue Economy Alhaji Adegboyega  Oyetola in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sustain the momentum established by my predecessor Mr Martin Boguikuoma, Managing Director of Gabon Ports Authority and to continue to put all efforts needed in order to  further consolidate the economic cohesion of the region and to actualize the interests of member ports.

While calling for collaboration among member states, he said it is only through robust commitment and collaboration that mandates can be achieved.

“Therefore, I will be seeking your usual cooperation and advice in helping to ensure that we continue to develop the maritime sector in our various countries and the West and Central African sub-region in general.

“Recalling our deliberations at the Board of Directors meeting, the need to relocate the PMAWCA headquarters to a more visible and befitting place in lagos Nigeria, the training needs of the Association and the PCS is dear to my heart and will do my very best in this direction to achieve these goals,” he said.