The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has said it was determined and ready to make Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy a game-changing sector through its oversight activities for the benefit of the people.
The chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Khadija Waziri Bukar Ibrahim stated this while addressing colleagues at the inaugural meeting of the committee at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The chairperson, who commended her colleagues for turning up for the meeting, informed them that the Committee was given the mandate to oversight the maritime sector which she said is very important to the nation’s economy.
She added that “it is the importance of the sector that led to the creation of a new Ministry called the Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy by the President.”
She said: “Our jurisdictions cover the major aspects of the regulation and capacity development of the maritime sector.
“You may note that the maritime sector is peculiar, in the sense that it is not just very technical in nature, but it is predominantly global in structure. It is majorly under established international law and order, personified through the conventions, codes of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other multilateral bodies.
“As you know, the maritime sector is very important to this nation, not just because of our hydro heritage, but also because our import and export driven-economy is dependent on it. This is more so at this critical time in the face of dwindling federal revenues, and the quest to diversify our nation’s income, hitherto dependent on oil and gas resources,” she said.
Hon. Khadijah Ibrahim, therefore, stressed the nexus between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for the country, and ‘The People’s House’ Legislative Agenda recently unvieled by the House, saying that they both share a common goal of making life better for Nigerians.
“It is in realization of this and the need to give the sector dedicated attention that Mr. President created the Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy,” she said.
She assured members of the committee of her commitment and determination to the idea of a blue economy through diligent oversight activities of the committee.
“It is an enormous task for my colleagues and I, but be assured of my personal commitment to make this work. As a ranking parliamentarian, I will bring my legislative experience to bear and as a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, my exposure to international law and diplomacy will count.”
She said the spirit and letters of the Legislative Agenda would be the Committee’s driving force, adding that the priority areas will centre on enhanced legislation, capacity development, a deliberately inclusive approach through stakeholder consultations as cardinal principles.
Hon. Ibrahim also informed Members that consistent interface with other regional bodies is key to achieving set goals, saying that the committee would deploy legislative instrument where necessary to strengthen relevant agencies of government saddled with the responsibility of implementing maritime activities.
Before adjourning the sitting sine die, Members were given opportunity to make observations and comments, during which they expressed appreciation for the commitment and the vision of the chairperson.
While expressing optimism in the ability of the chairperson to deliver through inclusive leadership and teamwork, they assured her of their loyalty and support in the course of the assignment.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Uduak Alphonsus Odudoh also expressed confidence in Hon. Khadija he’s ability to lead the committee to success.
He called on other Members to join hands with the chairperson toward the achievement of their mandate.
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