*Inaugurates commitee to implement resolutions

Even as awareness increases on how much citizens of the world depend on the seas and oceans while efforts gather momentum on how to manage, retain and sustain the ocean Borne resources of the world, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, took an unprecedented action during the celebration of this year’s  African Day of the Seas and Oceans, ADSO, as a  Partnership Committee on the Implementation of  the Blue Sea Economy/Cleaner Oceans was Inaugurated to immediately begin actualization of compelling ideas/strategies from thrust of papers presented at the event.

Dr. Dakuku captured the essence of the ADSO when he said “Our passion for Africa’s partnership inspires our leadership role in the Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA) to continue to innovate with ideas to pull African Maritime Administrations (MARAD) together for sustainable realization of the objectives of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 towards a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa where there will be equal opportunity to participate towards economic growth.”

So captivating were presentations by Mrs. Margret Orakwusi, Dr. Chris Asoluka and Prof. Babajide Alo on how to bring the Blue Economy about that chairman of the event, Engr. Greg Utomwem Ogbeifun, in collaboration with the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Board Chairman, Major General Jonathan India Garba (rtd.), agreed that a committee be inaugurated to begin the processes of implementation right at the venue of the ADSO 2018.

It was Mr. Mike Igbokwe, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN that conducted the inauguration of the committee which has NIMASA’s Board Chairman, Major General Jonathan India Garba (rtd) as Chairman.

This came on the heel of Professor Babajide Alo, an environmental expert, who advised that beyond the annual celebration of the event, partnership strategies to ensure sustainable implementation of the resolutions must be considered so that in the long run all set goals are achieved for the benefit of the entire African continent.

Mrs. Orakwusi also insisted that “For Nigeria to develop a robust and sustainable maritime sector, there is the need to prepare an all-inclusive framework and strategy based on the development strategies of the African Union in line with the AIMS 2050, Agenda 2063, Lome Charter and the African Maritime Transport Charter”.

The 22nd Ordinary Session of Heads of States and Governments adopted the 2050 AIM Strategy and Plan of Action, including a roadmap for the incremental implementation of the strategy in line with International Maritime Law.

The Strategy includes a framework for action on, inter alia: fisheries and aquaculture; environmental and biodiversity monitoring; marine tourism; Disaster Risk Management (DRM); handling and shipment of hazardous materials and dangerous goods; maritime governance; flag state and port state control; and illegal activities, including money laundering, piracy, maritime terrorism and human trafficking and smuggling by sea.

The African Day of the Seas and Oceans was instituted by the African Union in 2015. It seeks to draw attention to the strategic importance of proper management of marine resources for the development of the African continent in a sustainable manner.