The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has revealed that the newly approved National Maritime Policy by the Federal Executive Council is set to create new jobs in the sector and drive growth of indigenous shipping companies.
The minister disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the sectoral retreat for top management staff of the ministry and its agencies, while adding that the disbursement of the Cabotage funds will commence soon.
“The Federal Executive Council has approved the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. This is a foundational policy document that sets out our vision, priorities, and responsibilities for the sector’s long-term development. It provides the framework upon which all future initiatives, regulations, and investments must be anchored.
“As we move into the implementation phase, the burden of delivery rests squarely on the leadership of the Ministry and its Agencies. The strategic thrust of the policy must be fully internalised and translated into well-prioritised programmes, institutional coherence, and measurable outcomes that align with national expectations and reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.
“Increasing the Marine and Blue Economy’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP within a defined timeframe is critical and is targeting the creation of new jobs across core sub-sectors in the next 12–24 months,” Oyetola said.
He added that the process of disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipowners is already on the way.
Source: Daily Trust