ByBy Suleima Umaru
For two days, the Leadrship Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, under the close watch of Dayo Mobereola, at the instance of the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations Maritime Agency, had gathered industry stakeholders at Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, to deliberate on Decarbonization of oceangoing vessels to reduce gas emissions.
Adegboyega Oyetola, a former governor of Osun state and political ally of President Bola Ahmed Tnubu, and now minister of marine and blue economy, who have been working relentlessly over the last one year to reposition the African maritime sector to compete with other maritime nations in other parts of the world was said to have used opportunity provided by the summit to call on industry stakeholders ‘’to leverage on the Continent’s renewable energy potentials to become a global leader in green shipping’’.
The minister who could not hide his feelings had said that with the IMO, advancing efforts to adopt Greenhouse Gas, GHG, Emissions Reduction Strategy, African has no option but ‘’to assert its presence and safeguard its interests’’
The former Osun state governor, may have given the participants at the IMO, Decarbonization Summit in Nigeria, a cause to come out with meaningful decision when he stated that ‘’with over 90% of global trade facilitated by maritime transportation, reducing GHG, emissions from shipping which is not just an environmental necessity but economic imperative, is an indication that shipping, which is an international business must embrace decarbonization and innovative technology, including automation.
He was said to have sounded it loud and clear to the hearing of the summit participants that ‘’Africa must ensure that its voice is heard and its interests safeguarded in shipping policies that impact on our economies and livelihoods’’.
Giving an insider information, the Nigerian born politician, who is now talking as an expert on maritime activities had said that shipping decarbonization goes beyond just gas reduction, as it touches various sectors of the economy and livelihoods. He was emphatic that decarbonizing the shipping industry must be pursued in a manner that is just equitable, by ensuring that no African nation is left behind.
Speaking as an Authority on African maritime, the minister had said that the sector, had been uniquely positioned ‘’to leverage its strategic geographic advantage, renewable energy production and growing port infrastructure development to become a global leader in green shipping. He noted that become a leader in green shipping’’.
It was not surprising why the IMO have continued to ensure that the global maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely and sustainably around the world with continuous improvements on efficiency.
Mobereola, Director General, NIASA, who was said to have delivered the welcome address at the IMO decarbonization summit At Abuja, had said that the shipping industry accounts for close to three percent of GHG emissions, thus contributing to the global climate change.
According to him, the environmental concerns arising from these emissions have created a sense of urgency, driving the world to focus on shipping decarbonization, stressing that Africa, as a Continent, must not be left behind.
The NIMASA, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, had told those that cares to listen that the focus of the two-day summit on Africa’s cooperation regarding the IMO’s GHG strategy and the basket midterm measures ensuring a just and equitable transition for the continent is to enhance African’s technical capacity for climate action.
The NIMASA, CEO, who was said to have challenged the IMO, decarbonization summit participants to ensure that ‘’the decisions taken at the summit will be one that will shape the future African maritime industry and the continent’s contribution to global climate goals.
He was said to have made the IMO decarbonization summit participants in Nigeria, to understand that ‘’the summit which provides a unique opportunity to align regional strategies with international framework s while addressing Africa’s challenges and opportunities’’ should be taken seriously.
It was not surprising why he had said that African nations must ‘’prioritize sustainable and responsible maritime practices in line with international frameworks as the Continent develops’’.
Harry Conway, Chairman of the IMO ‘s MEPC and Alter Permanent Representative of Liberia, to the United Kingdom based Organization, who had made a presentation at the summit on IMO’s Journey So Far in Its GHG Reduction Strategy and John Doming’o, President of the Association of African Maritime Administrations’ who spoke on The Role of African Maritime Administrations in Shaping shipping Decarbonization were very instructive.
Doming’o, in his presentations, particular, was said to have highlighted the benefits decarbonization of ocean -going vessels to include reduction of global warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius, job creation in renewable energy, ship building, research and development, improved air quality near seaports and coastal cities, port modernization for clean and efficient logistics, green fuel production hubs, among others.
Goodwill messages at the IMO, decarbonization summit were said to have focused on the need for collaboration in achieving a green maritime environment in Nigeria and other African maritime nations, which was said to have been presented by Godfrey Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Emmanuel Ogalla, a Vice Admiral and Chief of Naval Staff.
The trio were said to have commended Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy and NIMASA, Director General, for their pivotal roles in the African continent’s maritime industry. The Naval Chief, particular, was said to have pledged the Nigerian Navy ‘s commitment to contributing ‘’to the overall goal of decarbonization in the nation’s maritime domain, particular, within the Nigerian shipping and maritime environment’’.
