Reducing Agencies at Ports, Improved Technology Critical for Effective Blue Economy- Adm. Akpan
A former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Navy, Admiral Francis Dan Akpan has advocated for a reduction of government agencies at the ports and deployment of modern technology to achieve more gains from the blue economy.
Akpan who spoke at the ongoing blue economy week of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron Akwa Ibom State said it’s time for Nigeria to reap from its naturally endowed marine ecosystem that holds potential to fight poverty and inequality.
The retired naval officer who described the blue economy concept as critical to Nigeria’s national security and economic sustenance, said too many government agencies slow down the process of trade as most of the agencies seek to examine containers which could be better achieved using technological devices like scanners
Akpan said other neighbouring maritime countries like Benin Republic, Togo have achieved shorter cargo clearing time at their ports
He described sea blindness as a general ignorance and failure to identify the potential of the maritime industry. The retired naval officer said tracing the imperialism history of colonialism to the sea adding that not taking this into cognizance could amount to wealth blindness.
According to him, the blue economy aligns with the 1999constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where 7 ports in 8 states and 275 identified jetties terminals and wharves adding that an estimated 5000 ships calling at Nigerian ports including large potential for increased fishing activities.
Akpan said it’s time Nigeria act to reduce wastages abd utilize her fishing capacity for employment and food in addition to activating Nigeria’s underutilized water transportation potential through ferry services
Akpan advocated for a reduction of government agencies at the ports with reliance on top notch technology backed infrastructures like scanners, weighbridges and others.
Akpan said inadequate vessels which he quoted as 291 ships as not being enough to create employment and support Nigeria’s quest for higher maritime trade. He added thar maritime transport contributes 1.89% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2022 which shows under utilisation
He called for a greater nexus between all government agencies while advising for environmentally friendly practices like reduction in gas flaring and proper rechanelling for powering vessels
According to him, there is the urgent need to reinvent the maritime tourism and regatta like the Argungu Fishing Festival, Osun Osogbo festival and other activities that will engage the demographics to erase the degradation Nigeria has suffered over the years adding that a whooping $5.9b could be saved annually from marine biotechnology
