The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy is determined to vigorously pursue the reforms in the maritime sector to make it the highest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Dr Bolaji Akinola has said.
Speaking at the official commissioning of National Secretariat of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, Akinola said the minister has put all machineries in place to ensure that the resources inherent in the marine and blue economy sector are optimally exploited.
“The minister means very well for the industry. He is hardworking. He is very focused. He knows what he wants to achieve for the industry and he is pushing gradually towards opening up the industry to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
Akinola applauded the media for their continued support, adding that the ministry will always ensure proper dissemination of information to update the stakeholders of the developments in the sector.
He commended the leadership of SCAN, led by Moses Ebosele for the feat, urging members to give the team full support.
Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Rebecca Adamu who was represented by Mr Adeyemi Olaolu commended SCAN members for their objective reporting and contributions to the growth of the industry.
Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Edward Osagie, represented by Francis Ulor
said SCAN members have been very instrumental to the growth of the maritime sector, and therefore called for their continued support.
Group Head, Corporate Communications, Sifax Group, Mr Muyiwa Akande, said the company has a policy of maintaining good relationships with the media and it would continue to exhibit that trait.
He also thanked the media for their continued support for the firm and the industry as a whole.
SCAN President, Moses Ebosele said the secretariat is automatically a press center because it is a place where members would meet stakeholders, discuss critical issues and chart a way forward for the industry.
He said henceforth, the association will begin to have roundtable discussions with major players in the sector.
Assuring that SCAN members are very conscious of upholding the ethics of the profession, he called on stakeholders to always cooperate with them to proffer solutions to industry challenges.Ebosele thanked Akinola for his continued support to the media and assured of continued support to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in its quest to reform the critical sector of the economy
