The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) have acknowledged the re-admittance of Nigeria into the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council as very significant after a 14-year absence.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group described it as a clear indication that the reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration are yielding the desired results in the maritime sector.
The statement read in part, “We recall that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the Tinubu administration had positioned Nigeria strategically to once more emerge as a flourishing maritime hub.
”Today unlike in the past, international vessels have found the Nigerian maritime industry functional and profitable as vessels berth and depart with goods.
Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s non-oil exports, including manufactured and agricultural products, have risen to about 40 %.
”This has ensured that the maritime community now realise that they can deliver goods to Nigeria and return with other goods thereby enhancing the transactions and viability of their movements.
”As it stands now, Nigeria was recently elected into Category C of the IMO Council, joining 19 other countries, including South Africa and Singapore, with a “special interest in maritime transport and navigation.”
”We also consider the election of Nigeria into the council as a sign that the global maritime community now repose confidence in Nigeria’s maritime reforms as well as the security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
”It is common knowledge that in recent times, the Gulf of Guinea has become one of the safest maritime routes across the globe.
”This feat was made possible through the efforts of the President Tinubu administration to make navigation safe and secure.
”With the country’s election into the council, we believe that it will strengthen international partnerships between Nigeria and other countries, improve access to technical support and boost investor confidence and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in the Gulf of Guinea.”
The group expressed a conviction that Nigeria’s new status would bring forth additional impetus to the country’s maritime sector
