The newly-inaugurated Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Monday promised to hit the ground running by contributing immensely to the revenue generation of the country, and provide jobs for unemployed Nigerians, as he takes mantle of leadership in the newly-created ministry.
Oyetola said he was fully prepared to deliver on the mandate in finding innovative solutions to the inherent challenges facing the country in the sector in order to ensure that oceans and marine are safe, reliable, and sustainable forthwith.
This is even as Oyetola’s family, friends and political associates celebrated the new Minister as he takes up yet another public service.
The immediate past Osun State Governor who headed straight to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, after his swearing in ceremony by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, stated these while interacting with the top bureaucrats and members of Staff of the Ministry .
Recall that President Tinubu on Sunday’s evening reassigned portfolios to some of the Ministers-designate, and redeployed Oyetola and others with immediate effect.
Addressing management and members of staff of the Ministry, Oyetola disclosed that his vision was rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of marine resources to benefit not only the economy but also the health of the planet.
He said no effort would be spared to actualize the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the current administration of President Tinubu in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
Oyetola added: “As we look ahead, my vision is rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of our marine resources to benefit not only our economy but also the health of our planet.
“Experts say the Blue Economy is estimated to be worth more than 1.5 trillion Dollars per year globally.
“Therefore, given our size as a country and considering the size of our blue economy, we should be a significant player in this sector, so as to contribute immensely to the revenue generation of our country and also provide jobs for the unemployed.
“We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are well utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
“And this can be done by embarking on a holistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important inland waterways so as to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people.
“We equally have a duty to promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.
“As someone with a strong private sector background, we shall promote greater private sector inclusion while fostering greater efficiency through specialisation and the effective delineation of core duties between the units.
“We must seize this opportunity to create positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Seeking efficient service delivery and effective collaboration with the management of the Ministry, Oyetola said his wealth of experiences in both private and public sectors spanning decades would be brought to bear in actualising the set objectives which informed the creation of the ministry by President.
Oyetola who affirmed his belief in team spirit for greater productivity, said the collaborative effort of a group to achieving a common goal can only be efficient and effective through team work.
“This is why I crave your indulgence that we must work as a team to deliver on our mandate. Let us work together to find innovative solutions to the challenges we face, ensuring that our oceans and marine are safe, reliable, and sustainable”, Oyetola added.
In her brief remarks, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy/Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, congratulated Oyetola on his appointment as the new minister of the newly created ministry.
Dr. Ajani who spoke on behalf of other members of the Ministry, pledged the readiness of the bureaucrats to give in their very best at stimulating the ministry for prosperity through absolute support and cooperation to the present administration.
“We congratulate you on your appointment. You are not new in the political scene of leadership roles in Nigeria. You were once a Governor in Osun State. Together we will move the ministry forward and make it more impactful to the economy of Nigeria.
“There are lot resources in the water and now that we have a stand alone ministry in charge of Marine and Blue Economy, we promise to bring out the best to complement the economy of the country in order to move our country forward”, she added.
Meanwhile, Oyetola and his family were later hosted to a reception by his friends and political associates, at Rainbow Event Centre, Abuja.
