Featured

FG Charges Regulatory Agencies To Check Exploitation At Seaports

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has charged regulatory agencies to reduce the cost of doing business by checking the exploitation of operators at seaports.

The Minister who gave this charge at the 2020 World Maritime Day Celebration with the theme: ‘Sustainable Shipping for Sustainable Planet: The Nigerian Dimension: in Lagos, pointed out that the objective behind the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) has been defeated with the exorbitant charge of $1500 a vessel per day.

Giving the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, urged,“ participants and resource persons not to see the annual event as a mere celebration for the congregation of who is who in the maritime industry, but should be taken as a reflective period to focus on developing the maritime sector”.

In the keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, disclosed that it’s been five years since President Buhari, joined other world leaders at the 70th Session of the UN to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of 17 SDGs on the universal call to end poverty, safeguard the planet and ensure peace and prosperity by the year 2030.

She called on stakeholders in the sector to capitalize on available local resources and invest in infrastructure and machinery that are economically and physically in line with the aspirations of the SDGs.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Maritime Transport, Sen. Danjuma Goje, who was represented by Sen. Tolu Odebiyi, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Linda Ikpeazu, in separate remarks, advised that the recommendations reached be backed by policy and action.

The Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashiri Jamoh, in his presentation assured the International community that with the Anti-piracy Act, Nigeria is now repositioned to fight piracy and change the narrative following recent statistics by IMO that the country’s waters are the most dangerous to trade-in.

Other presenters encouraged the development and coordination of the Blue Economic policy, the use of scientific and verified information for the development of the maritime sector.

They further pointed out that the major threat to marine life emanates from land, adding that the country should consider turning the land wastes into recyclable and reusable energy.

The participants came out with a communique which among other things emphasized that SDGs are germane to the maritime industry and in this regard, urgent measures towards diversifying the economy away from oil revenue is apt.

They also reiterated the need to develop regulations for the implementation of relevant IMO instruments to forestall the effects of climate change and pollution on the marine environment.

NIMASA was directed to provide a platform for marine incident reporting and information sharing; training and retraining of seafarers in line with internationally acceptable standards; the collaboration between government and privately-owned maritime training institutions was advised.

The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Chairmen and Board members of agencies, representatives of Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.

Share on Facebook

Featured

FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

Share on Facebook