According to a statement on Wednesday, Oyetola, while speaking during the sessiom at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, stated that the proposed budget would enable the newly created ministry to perform its role of oversight and monitoring of the implementation of government policies across agencies under its purview in the marine and blue economy sectors.
“You are aware that the 2024 budget is for economic growth; therefore, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies under the 2024 budget seek to consider and sustain on the achievements and performances recorded in the past years”, Oyetola outlined.
He noted that the ministry will place primacy on port infrastructure development through the modernisation of the Apapa and Tincan Ports, which are dilapidated and have almost reached the end of life.
Oyetola added that there are plans to rehabilitate the eastern ports while equally dredging the inland and coastal waterways.
To realise these initiatives, Oyetola solicited the committee to appropriate needed funds as proposed in the budget of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the National Inland Waterways to facilitate the projects.
On the need for rehabilitation of the ports, the Minister stated that as part of the 2006 Act, enabling concession of the ports, the Federal Government still retains ownership of these ports.
“And it behoves on them as landlords to continually ensure that the ports are best maintained and kept in the optimal state to enable usage and interest from the concessionaires,” he said.
Other focal areas the Minister noted would include maritime administration, building human capacity while also harping on an effective technical and economic regulation that will ultimately strengthen the Blue Economy in Nigeria.
The spokeswoman on behalf of the committee, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Wasiu Sanni, welcomed all to the gathering in his opening remarks.
Sanni stated that the 2024 budget defence also encompasses a performance review for 2023, which would provide adequate and further insight into the propositions captured in the 2024 budget proposal.
