As Non-State Actors Control Land Transport

Mr. Charles Okorefe is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Kamany Marine Services Limited and Twindeck Maritime Services. He is a consummate Shipping/Transport professional who is always willing to deploy his wealth of experience and knowledge of the dynamics of Nigeria’s transport sector towards the growth, efficiency and expansion of maritime development in Nigeria. He is a teacher, trainer and resource person who speaks at relevant forums and events organized by organizations and individuals.

Following his persistent calls for the establishment for a ministry of Maritime Affairs from the then Federal Ministry of Transportation, FMOT as constituted, Maritime Nigeria sought to know if he is satisfied with the emergence of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is how he responded:

Mr. Charles Okorefe, MD/CEO Kamany and TwinDeck Ltd

“I am happy with the creation of the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy from the omnibus Federal Ministry of Transportation, FMOT,  the unbundling of the FMOT has made it possible for us to have  a direct ministry that can be held accountable by stakeholders and operators in the industry”

“The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,  the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN and the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, which are now under the ministry, were the driving forces behind the FMOT.  Now that these MDAs have been given a separate ministry, we will see what happens to land transport which has been left at the hands of non-state actors such as the National Union of road transport workers NURTW, Luxury Bus Owners, Truck Owners and others”

“The land transport has been like an orphan because no ministry has been created over the years to supervised and managed land transportation in the country  and I wonder what will happen to the Ministry of Transport going forward because it seems it is only the Nigerian railway Corporation, NRC, that has been left in that ministry”

Maritime Resources

“The resources and wealth derivable from the Blue Economy are huge and the time has come to tap into these resources as there is no hiding place anymore”.

“The era of hiding behind one finger to say we are doing this or doing that is over. This is now an eyeball-to-eyeball situation where the Minister as well as heads of the agencies under the ministry of marine and blue economy can be held accountable squarely”

“Clearly, there is no hiding place anymore and President Tinubu must be congratulated for the bold step and vision in creating the ministry; we must give him the credit”

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of NIgeria

“The next challenge of harnessing the resources is a task before all stakeholders. The media has a crucial role to play and they must rise to the situation by highlighting what needs to be done to maximize benefits from the sector’s huge potentials”

Challenges

“The task before the minister is to surround himself with knowledgeable persons who will work with him and make the best out of the present situation. The minister of Marine Blue Economy Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola is a management expert and I am sure he knows what to do to energize and optimize his ministry to actualize the vision of Mr. President in creating the ministry”

R-L: Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani during tour of NIMASA facilities in Lagos.

“It is early days yet but as the minister settles down for business, we shall be watching and making inputs so that the industry to ensure that Nigeria’s economy is boosted by the Blue Economy resources”.