Mu’ azu Jaji Sambo, the Minister of Transportation, in line with the campaign by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), has stated that Nigeria is committed to achieving greener shipping to attain sustainable development in the maritime industry.
This comes shortly after Nigeria decides to join the IMO to commemorate the 2022 World Maritime Day, on the 29th of September.
Sambo stressed that Nigeria would not be left behind in the global shift towards greener shipping, while also contemplating the need for stakeholders in the maritime sector to begin exploring ways to switch into a greener and more sustainable future.
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on his part noted that the theme for this year’s world Maritime Day celebration is in line with the Agency’s mission of achieving cleaner oceans in developing shipping in Nigeria.
He pointed out that NIMASA is already working in line with the call by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim for developing countries to adopt green technology.
According to the IMO Secretary General, “The World Maritime Day theme 2022 “New technologies for greener shipping,” reflects the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future, while leaving no one behind. The theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post-pandemic world”.
“Nigeria, represented by NIMASA, as an active member state of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is involved in the processes of creating new international agreements and protocols to address environmental issues such as marine pollution, oil spills and emissions from the shipping industry.”
The theme of this year’s World Maritime Day is linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 13 and 14 on climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources; SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 17, which highlights the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals.
