STAKEHOLDERS in the Maritime sector have lauded President Bola Tinubu for impactful reforms in the Marine and Blue Economy sector, giving his administration a positive rating in its first two years.
They gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos while reviewing the sector’s trajectory under Tinubu.
They acknowledged the long-standing challenges within the sector, including policy and infrastructural deficits.
Captain Tajudeen Alao, President of the Master Mariner Association of Nigeria (MMAN), affirmed that Nigeria is well-positioned within the global shipping community.
“While there is still more to do, President Tinubu’s administration is on the right course,” Alao stated.
He explained that stakeholders have collectively rated the two-year reforms in the Marine and Blue Economy sector “above 85 per cent”.
Alao particularly credited the President and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, for the establishment of the new ministry, which aligns with global trends in sustainable water resource management.
He highlighted Oyetola’s comprehensive policy framework designed to galvanise stakeholders, providing clear focus and achievable goals.
Among the key achievements cited by Alao are: stakeholder engagement to identify critical areas requiring government attention and initiatives for infrastructural rehabilitation of ports nationwide.
Others include: measures to address boat mishaps on inland waterways, including immediate safety awareness campaigns and life jacket distribution as well as the successful integration of the Fisheries Department from the Ministry of Agriculture into the Blue Economy portfolio.
It also involves networking on inherited issues such as the Council Election into IMO Category C, the upgrade of the Maritime Academy to a university, and the rehabilitation of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) floating dock, among others.
Alao appealed for continued support from all stakeholders for the President’s programmes, as delegated to the Minister.
Similarly, Mrs Funke Agbor, President of the Nigeria Maritime Law Association (NMLA), commended the President on approval of Nigeria’s 10-Year National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy (2025-2034), which took effect from May 7.
This policy, she noted, features a comprehensive implementation plan aimed at unlocking the country’s vast marine potential and stimulating economic development across its 853-kilometer coastline.
Agbor also commended the President and Minister Oyetola for directing NIMASA to start the long-awaited disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), established to empower Nigerian shipping companies through structured financing for vessel acquisition.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Sulaimon Ayokunle, Secretary of the Association of Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), PTML Chapter, lauded President Tinubu for the significant transformations introduced in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to facilitate trade.
He specifically mentioned the October 2024 introduction of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) named “B’ Odogwu” at the Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML).
Its successful deployment led to the first single goods declaration, valuation, and assessment being processed with payment completed on Nov. 1, 2024, and has since been implemented across all 34 Customs commands.
Ayokunle also commended the President for holding terminal operators accountable in minimising cargo handling delays that typically result in demurrage at ports.
Furthermore, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of Le-look Nigeria Ltd., applauded the approval of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, to enhance global trade facilitation.
She revealed that six companies, including hers, had been licensed under the AEO, demonstrating exceptional growth with their collective trade value, which increased from N185.8 billion in 2023 to N563.8 billion in 2024.
Some maritime stakeholders have scored President Tinubu’s reforms in the Marine and Blue Economy sector 85 per cent in the last two years.
The rating was made in an interview with the News in their assessment of Tinubu’s two years administration.
