NIMASA to collaborate with Ondo to develop blue economy

Akeredolu calls for resuscitation of Ayetoro Technical School
The Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has expressed the agency’s readiness to liaise with Ondo State government to develop the blue economy and the state’s comparative maritime advantage.

Jamoh made this known when he paid a visit to the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.

The director-general, in his opening remarks, commended the outstanding successes of Governor Akeredolu during his first term particularly on road infrastructure.

According to him, the avalanche of maritime potential in the state as one of the littoral states could be explored for the emergence of a national blue economy.

“Blue economy is being promoted by so many countries and we need to ensure that we harness the resources and sustain them to ensure that not only the Federal Government, but also states collaborate with us for sustainable development,” Jamoh said.

In his response, Akeredolu said the state was seeking collaboration to develop Ondo port, which would redefine the maritime sector in Nigeria in view of the vast natural potential that are in the coastal areas of the state.

The governor said the state, being the most peaceful of all the nine littoral states in Nigeria and the longest coastline in the West Africa sub-region, with the deepest and natural draught for all types of ships to berth, is no doubt the launch pad for Nigeria to embrace blue economy.

“It is a natural place to have the best port in Nigeria. We need your support to get the seaport, which is not only for Ondo State but for all West Africa. We are ready to be part of the blue economy. We can work together,” Akeredolu affirmed.

Akeredolu also called for the collaboration of NIMASA and other stakeholders to resuscitate the Ayetoro Technical School, which was the first in West Africa to have produced experts in maritime.