The increasing global competition Nigeria is facing has made it imperative for the ports of Africa’s largest economy and other countries on the continent to become more competitive.
That’s according to Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy minister, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Nigeria’s federal government, through his ministry, is committed to scaling up Nigeria’s port ratings in the global maritime space, he said, commenting on the recent commissioning of the Mission to Seafarers (MTS) in Lagos (*).
Oyetola said that improving Nigeria’s balance of trade, which is crucial to strengthening the value of the Naira and creating employment, is top on President Bola Tinubu’s policy agenda.
He said given the pivotal role the maritime sector plays in the economy, it must make all factors involved in maritime trade more efficient and with greater capacity, including all port facilities.
“This is part of our concerted effort to ensure the maximisation of the comparative advantages that our maritime resources present,” Oyetola said.
“I was elated when I received the report of the commissioning of the MTS Centre by the Nigerian Ports Authority recently.
“My joy is rooted in the realisation that this purpose-built facility, designed to provide vital social, psychological and emotional support to the crewmen and women who drive global trade in and out of Nigeria, signposts the seriousness of the President Tinubu’s administration in enhancing the maritime sector to add greater value to the national economy.”
* Read this for context: “Nigeria’s seaports host 4000 vessels each year”.