
Oyetola who appeared before the Senate committee on Marine Transport and House of Representatives committee on Ports and Harbour, Marine Safety, Education and Administration to defend the Ministry’s 2025 budget, said, “Greater budgetary provision is therefore advocated.
The Minister said quantum investment through the capital budget is necessary for the Ministry to deliver on its lofty mandate and potential.
Senator Imasuen Neda questioned why certain riverine areas are not captured in the budget, particularly from Edo South senatorial district and other regions of similar topography.
In the same vein, Hon Balogun asked, “What is the programme of the Ministry in terms of infrastructure along the coastal areas?
In his response, the Minister said the issues raised are very germane, but noted that there’s a need for adequate funding.
“Proper funding is very important. I appeal to the committee to ensure that the Ministry is well supported and funded for it to deliver on its mandate and as well diversify the economy of our country”, he said.
Speaking further, Oyetola said, “Honourable Chairman and Members you are aware that the 2025 Budget is tagged, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity”.
“Therefore the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its Aqencies under the 2025 Budget seek to consolidate and sustain on the achievements and performances recorded in the immediate past year by focusing on Ports Infrastructural Development, Increased fish production, Maritime Safety and Security, Information Technology Deployment to improve operation and revenue generation, Human Capacity Building and the Effective Technical and Economic Regulation to ensure the strengthening of blue economy in Nigeria.
He said as a newly created Ministry, its initial focus has been to set up enduring structures and systems for the effective management of the blue economy sector.
According to him, the notable deficiencies in the sector such as general infrastructure decay, silted river courses, inadequate fish production, and inadequate river crafts require major attention.
He stated that the Ministry is therefore initiating several projects and programmes aimed at addressing these challenges, adding that the “Ministry as you are aware is pleased and happy with your review of the leqal frameworks for the sector, On our part, we are also reinforcing the Ministry’s oversight and monitoring mandate over its Agencies. All of these require greater budgetary provisions”.
The Minister said under the 2024 Appropriation, the Ministry has finalized the preparations of Nigeria’s National Blue Economy Strategy, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, the Strategic Roadmap for Nigeria’s Blue Economy and the National Policy for Marine and Blue Economy, “These documents are the foundation for a sound policy framework for the Ministry”.
As a quick response to the spate of boat mishaps on inland waterways occasioned by increased traffic, the Minister said the Ministry has targeted the provision of life jackets to the Riverine Communities in the states to boost safety of passengers.
“Also, a major programme to replace rickety wooden boats used for commercial transport with standardized crafts and capital dredging at selected locations on our major rivers is planned for 2025, adding that the Ministry is initiating major projects in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector to boost fish production.
According to him, these projects are deliberately tied to governments capital budgets to guarantee fast tracked delivery and assured food security.
Continuing, he said, “The proposed total Capital Budget of N11,770,533,003 (Eleven Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-three Thousand, Three Naira) and Overhead of N453,856,327 (Four Hundred and Fifty-three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand, Three hundred and Twenty- seven Naira) though inadequate is for your kind consideration.
“Finally, let me most heartily thank you all for your unflinching support and cooperation given to the Ministry throughout the past year.
“I sincerely count on your continued understanding, and urged this august body to consider the propositions and note the very compelling needs of the Ministry to set up enduring policy, operational and administrative structures to deliver the full potentials of the sector”.