… Identifies CVFF disbursement, Ships’ Zero Emissions as low-hanging fruits!***
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo on Thursday declared his commitment to transform Nigeria into an economy powered by a Maritime economy, stressing that Nigeria, with its heavy marine endowments, has no business solely pursuing Crude oil, as its only means of survival.
The Minister, flanked by the Minister of State, Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, made the observation, stressing his determination for unbundling the Nigerian Railway and ensure the enactment of the National Transport Commission, before May 2023.
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Highlighting the difficulty of building something on nothing, Mu’azu Sambo expressed his determination to unsparingly pursue, the enactment of the National Transport Commission (NTC), affirming the need to create a solid foundation first, for the industry, in order to ensure that things, creditably fall in place, for the nation’s transport industry.
Counting on the unflinching support of stakeholders, the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly, the Minister said he understood the ‘grey areas’ that hampered the NTC enactment before now; and would, therefore, work assiduously, to tackle those challenges, because the country needs cherished transport policies in place, now.
Speaking further, he vowed to ensure the unbundling of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), saying Nigerians may never get the best out of its railways until it ends the present 3-in-1 regime; where NRC is the Regulator, the Operator and also the Owner.
He maintained that the NRC must fulfill the mandate of paying back debts, sourced via foreign loans; generating revenue for the Government; as well as, create massive employment opportunities for youths.
Taking a hard look at the maritime industry and its heavy endowments, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo gleefully declared Nigeria, as a highly blessed Maritime country, which should focus on driving its macro economy, via its waters’ wealth.
In the meantime, the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Muazu Jaji Sambo, while identifying some of the low-hanging fruits which his leadership at the Dipcherima House must accomplish, has stressed the need for a strong partnership with private sector operators, by attracting investments in modern platforms and assets, needed to meet the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) prescribed emission levels of the future.
Speaking during the IMO 2022 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos on Thursday, Sambo also reiterated his desire to disburse the controversial Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), to enable indigenous shipowners to acquire new vessels that comply with IMO’s rules on gas emissions.
The theme of the IMO 2022 celebration is; “New Technologies for Greener Shipping”.
The Minister, in line with the theme, therefore expressed the government’s commitment gradually cut down carbon emissions from ships, until it reaches net zero by 2050.
According to him, Nigeria is duty-bound to contribute to global efforts to ensure a safe environment in all sectors, including shipping.
He said the need for new technology to drive the maritime sector has not only become necessary but imperative following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which affected global trade.
Mu’azu tasked private sector operators who are the beneficiaries of government policies put in place to address carbon emissions to deploy adequate resources and technology to address emerging technologies in partnership with the government.
“IMO’s identification of partnerships and information sharing on best practices as well as unfettered access to resources as being critical to the transition of the maritime sector into a greener and more sustainable sector is not by coincidence.
This partnership must be cultivated globally and nationally.
“For us as a nation, the entire maritime community has a role to play in bringing about a greener and sustainable maritime industry in the areas of resource mobilization, maritime training, awareness, job creation and full implementation of maritime laws and regulations,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Transportation, Mr Ademola Adegoroye, said to attain greener shipping, it was imperative that new technologies be embraced through aggressive technology transfer, research and development, innovations and partnership.
