A former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye, has urged Nigeria to look beyond crude oil by harnessing the rich marine resources and optimise the benefits the nation’s aquatic nature provide.
He added that the country’s maritime sector must be fully utilised with a view to diversifying the economic base of the country.
Omatseye, who gave the charge as a guest speaker at Independent Television and Radio (ITV/Radio), Benin, annual Independence Lecture (Nigeria @63) with the theme ‘Harnessing the Potentials in the Maritime Sector’, lamented that despite the huge opportunities its provide, Nigeria naritime sector is potentially untapped.
He, however, said Nigeria requires a safe, secure and enabling Maritime Domain to drive a strong, diversified, sustainable and competitive economy, adding that the passing of a National Maritime Transport Policy (NMTP) will drive this process.”
He said: “We must begin this campaign by assessing the pillars which constitute the framework upon which a maritime nation stands: Institutions, legislation and regulations, and policy.”
He continued: “Nigeria government must rise and work towards producing maritime human capital which match national and global demands. But we must also develop other maritime sectors at a much quicker pace such as shipbuilding and repairs, shipping and ports services, logistics and the provision of ancillary maritime products and services among others.
“Stakeholders must be engaged and their inputs solicited in the review of maritime institutions, legislation and regulations and policies. In this, government must lead by adopting a comprehensive national maritime policy that defines the long-term strategic direction for MARITIME NIGERIA,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Managing Director, ITV, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, said the topic was picked because of its aptness, adding that this is the only way the country can get out of the current economic quagmire.
Corroborating Omatseye’s submission, the ITV/Radio MD urged Nigeria government to look beyond oil and gas as the only source of the nation’s revenue generation.
Urging Edo people and Nigerians at large to tap opportunities the Edo Seaport offer, Engr. Obaseki said: “The Benin Port project has already come and it has come to stay. We should be thinking of ways of keying into such areas. Edo is practically shifting from being called ‘Civil Service State’.
He thank the founder of ITV/Radio, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom for establishing ITV platform for management and staff of the station to celebrate the independence of Nigeria.
The event also had pannel of discussion segment where discussants – Dr. Casley Omon-Irabor, a constitutional/human right lawyer and National President, Human Rights Defenders; Pius Alile, Founder, Pius Alile Coalition Initiative and Bishop Osadolor Ochei, Human Right Gospel Defender Advocate all argued that for Nigeria to get it right, right leaders must be in helms of affairs.
They emphasized the need for Nigeria to diversify her economy with a view to boosting the country’s revenue base.