By Roland Ekama
A former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Temisan Raymond Omatseye on Thursday , described the establishment of the Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola as a wasteful resource and investment, saying that the newly created Ministry has not made any positive significant in boosting shipping development.
Omatseye who expressed his disappointment in Lagos at the National Discourse 2024 with Distinguished Maritime Personalities, speakers, presenters and panelists called on government to return the maritime sector back to the ministry of transportation.
With the theme: The human capital components, assets and infrastructure for the blue economy, the former DG NIMASA lamented that the new ministry has failed to add value to the maritime industry .
According to him, the aviation industry under Festus keyamo as minister is thriving despite the fact that the he(keyamo) has no background in aeronautics operations.
Omatseye applauded Keyamo over the giant strides recorded under his supervision as minister of aviation and aerospace, adding that stakeholders .
He also called on the maritime media to be objective with their reportage against the over hyped promotion of the ministry where no significant progresses have been so far recorded .
The ex DG NIMASA, called on stakeholders in the maritime industry to wake up and engage the government on the best way of improving the maritime industry.
Omatseye was DG NIMASA between July 2009 to December,2010 and a recipient at the 2024 DMP award.
Earlier ,Convener of the National Discourse 2024 with Distinguished Maritime Personalities (DMP),s. Kelvin Kagbare said commitment, passion, dedication, efforts and resources deployed by the distinguished guests into maritime development cannot be quantified.
Kagbare said stakeholders will attest that these are very familiar faces at maritime functions within and outside the country.
According to him They commit their time, energy and resources into programmes and events organized for the improvement of the industry- we thank you most sincerely for finding time to be here today to share your experiences with stakeholders.
He stated that the Theme “The Human Capital Component, Assets and Infrastructure for the Blue Economy” was chosen after deliberate consideration of what the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola as Minister has done so far.
“In the area of human Capital Development, Maritime Nigeria thinks we are still where we were prior to the creation of the Ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023. We were told that the Blue Economy has the capacity to generate over $1.5 trillion per year, provide over 30 million jobs and serve as a vital source of protein supply to millions of persons.
“As we converge to deliberate, we hope to hear from our DMPs here seated what progress has been made. From all we have seen and heard, there has been plenty of movement and talk without the commensurate action.
“Policy statements have also been few just as the bond of action signed by maritime CEOs is known only to select few. I trust that our DMPs have, from their vintage positions, had a glimpse and would be willing to share insights with maritime stakeholders here gathered.
“Shall we talk about the NSDP program and gains to country from 2009 to date? Like the Nigerian Refineries, the NSDP is yet to bridge the yawning manpower gaps in the industry. I am glad we have distinguished maritime personalities who could better speak on this from their experiences.” Kagbare said.
