Seafarers’ Accuse Marine/Blue Economy Minister For Disregarding Fisheries Sub Sector

By Roland Ekama

Seafarers’ have accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for neglecting the fisheries sub sector of the maritime industry, lamenting that the Adegboyega Oyetola led ministry is only focusing on revenue generating agencies, departments and parastatals under his supervision.

The seafarers under the auspices of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) lamented that little or no attention has been given to the fishing sub sector which according to them is gradually declining in the face of the harsh economy realities.

The NMNOWTSSA which is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, decried the dwindling fortunes of the marine fisheries to the nation’s economic and that the government is yet to understand the potentials and treasures embedded in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country.

Secretary General of the union, Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue who spoke on behalf of the union at a zoom meeting put together by the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN) on Saturday, July 6th 2024 with topic: Fisher’s Day Webinar, stated that dearth of jetties and terminals for vessels berthing and other operations have rendered trawling business unproductive and less attractive for investors

Aleakhue who expressed disappointment on the Minister ‘s disconnection with the sub sector, maintained that trawler operations may fizzle out if the needed attention is not given to Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) to stay afloat.

He lamented that critical international conventions that will empower the fisheries industry are yet ratified by the government calling on the Minister to look inward for the ratification, especially the ILO 188F convention.

According to him, the challenges befalling trawler operations are enormous, especially as it concerns human capability, casualisation of workers, job insecurity and foreign dominance in the sub sector.

Speaking on the high cost of operations by the mariner fishers, the union’s scribe called on the government through the ministry to help the trawler owners in subsidizing diesel which in turn will help some of them remain in business.

He noted that”For fisheries I will say there is no action plan in place by the government, conventions have not be ratified on the document on fisheries.

“Nothing is happening in the sub sector as far the new Ministry is concern. The Minister is only focusing on revenue generating agencies, forgetting the fact that the Marine and Blue Economy is a treasure untapped and fisheries is not an exception to boost the potentials for economy growth”,

The scribe called on government to also make provisions for the operators in trawler ownership business by reviewing policies that would discourage foreigners from fishing in the nation’s territorial waters adding that most of the international vessels in Nigeria waters disregard laws of the country by fishing Indiscriminately .

Recall that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy in Nigeria, had recognized the immense contributions of fish trawler owners to the economy, including providing fish food nutrition, job creation and economic growth.

He had urged trawler owners to collaborate with the ministry to fine tune their operations, saying the ministry was established to facilitate trade and to lead the fisheries and aquaculture towards a prosperous and sustainable future

He had emphasized the importance of the fishing industry, stating that it can surpass the oil sector if properly harnessed , even as he identified demand and supply as the challenges facing the industry, and assured that the government is working towards creating an enabling environment for the stakeholders.