LOME Task Tinubu on CVFF Disbursement, Rehabilitation of Ports Infrastructures

 …As Oyetola Says Machinery, Structures Already Set Up To Realize Potentials In Marine And Blue Economy

The League of Maritime Editors (LOME) on Thursday, 8th of December at their 25th Anniversary celebration called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to use all his political power  to enforce the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) as well as the rehabilitation of the nation’s ports infrastructure.

The Maritime editors said the disbursement of the contributed funds  and the rehabilitation of ports infrastructure will further reposition the Nigeria maritime industry to come to par with current happenings in global ports.

The President of LOME, Chief Timothy Okorocha, in his welcome address commended the President of the federation  for unbundling of the Transportation Ministry and the establishment the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, he said Mr President should move further in ensuring the actualization of the prayers of industry stakeholders in the area of the CVFF disbursement and ports infrastructure rehabilitation because of the obvious positive impact to the national economy. He therefore urged PBAT to  exercise his political will on these vital industry issues.

In his words, “The League salutes Mr. President’s bold steps and visionary outlook, and do hereby with utmost respect urge him to exercise the required political will to push farther by ensuring that the oft routine talk about the rehabilitation of collapsed critical port infrastructure receives urgent executive attention.

“As development partners, the League looks forward to the effective participation of the respective agencies in the current administration’s renewed agenda template; and want to see the Nigerian Ports Authority move away from the ritual of endless talk and lamentations into doing the needful, the reconstruction of broken down asset and infrastructure. 

“The League further urges President Tinubu to provide the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola and his ministry, the needed impetus to bring to an end, the unending rat race of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF, established since 2003; to jump start a new lease of life for the capacity development of our indigenous ship-owners, and to enable Nigeria participate meaningfully in our seaborne trade; especially with the proposed commencement of the implementation policy of the blue economy.

“As insiders, the League over the years has seen the genuine struggle by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and its leadership, especially under the present administration to disburse the CVFF in its commitment to grow local capacity building, but observes the otherwise disruptive tendencies within the field of political play.

“ We appeal to Mr. President to use his good office to prevail on the relevant authorities to respond to the needs of our industry as there can be no better time than now”.

The League also appreciated the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his hard work since assuming office.

Okorocha added, “The League wants to urge you Sir, to be more sector specific in your programmes and to crave depth as you pursue the implementation of the blue economy by engaging and partnering with stakeholders as at when necessary, to avoid creating gaps.

“Standing on both sides of the divide, we want to respectfully inform you that industry stakeholders and Nigerians at large look up to you to be more of a doer than a sayer; a path your predecessor vigorously explored during his short but eventful stint to the joy of port users”.

In his remark, the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, assured that his Ministry was determined to ensure transformation in the marine and blue economy sector.

The Minister who was 

represented at the occasion by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Olujimi Oyetomi, said that in view of this, he has since set up machinery and structures to ensure that the potentials of the sector were realized.

He said,, . “Even though I am a pioneer minister specifically for the Sector, I have set up machinery and structures for the Sector and made all principal actors and agencies irrevocably key into realizing the potential of the Sector for job creation, social development, increased contributions to national growth and economic development. I have given my commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the nation that the Marine and Blue Economy Sector will witness a rapid transformation within the shortest possible time.

“Your suggestions and recommendations whenever you evaluate the industry, at the policy-making level, sometimes receive your suggestions from critical perspectives.  However, we do not fail to distil and apply the best of your suggestions, thus leading to plausible progress in policy application in the maritime sector. It is therefore no surprise today, that we are collectively witnessing the progress which we are seeing today, in the sector.”.

While challenging the League to be patriotic and realistic when setting agenda not just for those at the policy-making level but also for the agencies, Oyetola explained that this was because of the “ever-present challenges to a sector which have not taken the front stage of attention in the past, but which we are all trying to bring up to be at par with developments in many of the frontline maritime and blue economy nations of the world”.