Nigeria Duty To Ensure Safer Maritime Environment – Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, says the Nation is duty bound to contribute to global efforts to ensure safer environment in all sectors, including shipping.

Sambo said this at the 2022 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) World Maritime Day celebration on Thursday in Lagos, adding that Nigeria was targeting zero carbon shipping by 2050.

The event had the theme, “New Technologies for Greener Shipping”.

He said there was need for the global maritime community to prioritise the imperative of sustainable policies, practices and projects, which would ensure the protection of the immediate marine environment and survival of mankind.

According to Sambo, the need for new technology to drive the maritime sector has become imperative, hence all hands must be on deck to support a green transition of the maritime industry into a sustainable future.

“A green future equally implies the commitment by the private sector, to invest in more modern platforms and assets, which will meet the emission levels of the future.

“It is against this backdrop that I earlier stated my commitment to the actualisation of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which I am convinced will offer a veritable platform for the acquisition of newer vessels by our indigenous operators.