By Francis Ugwoke The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
OSAMGBI
(NIMASA) has explained that the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu was strategic to exploit the various potentials of the ocean resources. Speaking at a training programme for the maritime media under the theme, ‘Regulating the Maritime Industry : the NIMASA Perspective’, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of the agency, Chief Isichei Osamgbi, who represented the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, explained that the President understands there are huge untapped potentials in ocean resources that are capable of boosting the national economy. Osamgbi pointed out that global trends show that there is no great nation that is not a maritime nation, adding that these countries have fully taken advantage of the ocean resources. He identified United States, Japan, United Kingdom,China, Norway, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, among others as nations with wonderful economic developments in which marine resources have played a part. Isichei added that the President did not just create the Ministry but also chose experts with proven records, such as the Minister, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola and the NIMASA DG, Mobereola, to drive the sector. He expressed optimism that the marine and blue economy sector with available opportunities will take Nigeria to great heights economically. He called on the media to join the government in ensuring the success of the Marine and Blue ministry. He specifically said that the media has the task of disseminating information on the great potentials in the sector. He recalled that not many Nigerians knew so much about marginal fields in the oil sector until the media gave the sector wide that attracted indigenous companies. Among the resource persons at the training workshop were the former Director, Shipping Development, NIMASA, Mr. Anthony Ogadi who delivered a paper titled ‘Understanding the International Maritime Regulatory Framework’ and Deputy Director in the agency, Barr Peter Agbaminola, whose paper was titled, ‘Understanding the International Maritime Regulatory Framework and ‘NIMASA Regulatory Processes at a Glance’ .
