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Blue economy holds key to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential – Oyebamiji

Funso OLOJO

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has described the blue economy as the key that will unlock the economic potential of Nigeria.

He stated that the concept will not only preserve the nation’s marine resources but also harness it as a driver for economic growth and ensuring food security.

Oyebamiji disclosed this during the one-day program organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja.

Represented by Engr. Mohammed Dangana GM Special Duties, Oyebamiji stated that “the Blue Economy is a cornerstone of our future, offering undeniable pathways for sustainable growth through a multitude of sectors, including fishing, tourism, renewable energy, and maritime transport”.

“Effective policy frameworks are essential in unlocking the full potential of the Blue Economy”, he stated.

The host of the event , Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, DG National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), outlined the opportunities in Shipping, Maritime trade and other offshore activities that could significantly boost Nigeria’s economic development.

He also called on stakeholders in the Marine and Blue Economic sector to develop solutions that ensure Maritime safety.

The event also had in attendance Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the former DG of NIMASA and other key stakeholders in the Maritime sector.

The theme of the event was : ‘Policy Dialogue on the Imperative of Harnessing the Blue Economy’s Potential for Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’.

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Tantita Security to bankroll 2025 OTC in USA

Gloria Odion

The foremost security provider in Nigeria, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has been confirmed as the official sponsor of the 2025 Offshore Technology conference scheduled to hold in Houston Texas, United States on 5-8 May , 2025 .

Executive Director, Technical and operations , Tantita security services Limited, Captain Wareddi Enisuoh in an interview with journalists on Friday, said the company attracted the OTC conference lucrative sponsorship deal in recognition of its capacity to deliver on the conference.

Founded in 1969 , Offshore Technology conference is a series of conferences and exhibitions, focused on exchanging technical knowledge relevant to the development of offshore energy resources , primarily Oil and Natural Gas.

The conference also serves as the meeting place for the brightest minds to share ideas , discuss, debate and build consensus around the most pressing challenges and innovations in the offshore energy sector.

This year’s exhibitors , speakers and attendees represent some of the highest calibre professionals from more than 100 countries .

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NAPTIP, MMS WoFHoF Initiative Sign MoU on Human trafficking in maritime industry

Gloria Odion

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame(WoFHoF) Initiative, a gender-centric Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) in a move to position itself better for human trafficking war; sex and gender-based violence in some select sectors of the economy.

The MoU highlighted areas of engagement to include: Human trafficking by sea and cross- border transportation; sex and gender-based violence in work and business places, especially within the maritime sector and logistics industry.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, expressed confidence in the capacity of the NGO to deliver performance.

A Board member of the MMS WoFHoF Initiative,Hajia Lami Tumaka, who led the leadership of the NGO to the event, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in the women-centric organization, while urging members of the agency staff to give their unflinching cooperation for the implementation and success of the proposed value addition.

The Chief Executive Officer of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, admonished the agency to leverage the array of human resources assembled by the NGO to make greater impact in the society and build a sustainable brand within its sphere of operations.

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Umahi,Minister of Works, Dredgers trade tackles over dredging activities under Lagos bridges.

Funso OLOJO

The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) has absolved its members of blame for the poor infrastructural state of Eko and Carter bridges in Lagos.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has accused the Dredgers of causing havoc to these Lagos bridges due to their dredging activities.

In a swift reaction, the association of Dredgers through its General Secretary,

Mr Richard Ntan, advised the Minister to look elsewhere for the cause of the deteriorating state of these bridges as the activities of its members could not have been responsible for the havoc as they were highly regulated.

Mr Ntan said the Minister may have mistaken the reclamation activities near these bridges, which he claimed may have been responsible for the havoc, to the highly regulated industrial dredging activities of his members.

The association therefore disagreed with the Minister’s position and submitted that there is no direct interaction between dredging and bridge infrastructure.

“We wish to clarify that industrial dredging carried out by our members is not the cause of the damage observed on these structures” the Dredgers submitted.

The association further noted that industrial dredging is highly regulated, focusing on areas in the creeks and centre of the Lagos lagoon far away from the bridges which it said is the key essential for maintaining navigable waterways and smooth movement of vessels in and out of Lagos that is crucial to growing the city’s economic development.

Mr Richard Ntan insisted that industrial dredging is not harmful to infrastructure like bridges, adding that the process is driven through a well articulated environmental ecosystem which ensures deeper waterways for large vessels, regulated through precession methods and strictly supervised to minimise any negative impact.

The association, however, called for thorough investigation of the ongoing reclamation dredging currently ongoing near third Mainland bridge, adding that time has come to truly know the status of those who do reclamation dredging activities as against Industrial dredging concerns to which only members of DAN are known for.

“We at DAN supports the Minister that reclamation dredging activities should not take place near bridges and, it’s important that the Minister find out the true pictures of those dredging near bridges and also not lump us at the Dredgers Association with such operators.” Mr Ntan further stated.

DAN opined that though the Minister’s observation is valid but vehemently objected to the association’s members being lumped together with those dredging for reclamation activities around the third Mainland bridge.

“We, the Dredgers Association of Nigeria, remain committed to the responsible conduct of dredging activities in Lagos and across Nigeria in full compliance with national regulations to ensure that our operations and activities do not harm the environment or vital national infrastructure and we share in the Minister’s concerns about the need to preserve Nigeria’s infrastructure .

“We are dedicated to ensuring that all dredging operations are carried out in ways that support the nation’s economic growth while safeguarding critical infrastructures such as bridges” Mr Ntan reiterated.