nimasa - NOGSpeed - Energy-Affair

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has stated that his ministry is fostering collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and is fully committed to promoting partnerships with industry players, driving innovation, and championing sustainability.
Oyetola made this statement during his opening address at the Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop on Deep Seabed Activities in Nigeria, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, “Government-private sector partnerships are vital to unlocking the maritime sector’s full potential,” emphasizing that effectively harnessing the vast potential of the nation’s marine resources is a crucial step in diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
He stated that the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a mineral-based one presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly wave and tidal energy, to generate clean energy. Henoted that this shift could significantly contribute to the nation’s energy needs.
“Nigeria’s establishment of a full-fledged Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023 demonstrates our commitment to diversifying our economy and capitalizing on the global surge in deep-sea exploration. As a major oil-producing country with an extensive coastline and inland waterways, we cannot afford to lag in this new frontier,” said Oyetola.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, explained that the workshop aimed to raise awareness among key stakeholders in the sector about the significance of deep seabed exploration and exploitation.
On his part, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the Agency in collaboration with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and relevant MDAs, will ensure Nigeria’s compliance with global standards.
Speaking on the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, Dr. Mobereola noted that the need to amend the Act to reflect relevant provisions of the ISA’s model of legislation on exploration and exploitation could not be overemphasized. He acknowledged the commitment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA to ensuring the full implementation of relevant legislative frameworks for the sustainable use of the marine environment and safety standards.
“We remain committed to ensuring that relevant legislative frameworks on the sustainable use of the Marine Environment and Safety standards are fully implemented,” he said.
Representatives of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), National Border Commission (NBC), International Seabed Authority, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, among others attended the workshop.

The Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola has said that he is working to raise maritime industry’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mobereola also said he is repositioning NIMASA support development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He spoke on efforts towards enhancing seafarers capacity development, vessels acquisition, Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF), security and safety on the waters.
The NIMASA DG, during a media engagement in Lagos also said improving on maritime contribution to the GDP requires that every aspect of local maritime industry is productive, beginning with a very robust cabotage trading through vessel acquisition by local shipowners and availability of cargo for them to lift.
According to the DG, the country needs to improve on what the maritime industry is contributing to the GDP and theagency intends to achieve this by a set of enforcements including deployment of the modular floating dock, seeking the appropriate and relevant trainings for cadets and boosting cabotage trade.
He said: “We are reviewing the process of how vessels crew are being engaged. We are also working to ensure that the cadets we produce under the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) are good products after training. All these issues are on our table. There’s no single day we don’t deliberate on them.
“We are also working on deploying the modular floating dock. We have many proposals on the table but we want to make sure that a good decision is reached on it. We want to put it on use as soon as possible. It will create employment for ourtrained cadets, earn revenue and improve the sector, but we want to do it right.
“On the issue of CVFF, the fund is safe with the government and we are looking out for the right opportunity to start its disbursement, in a sustainable manner that will ensure that only those actively playing in the industry gets it. There are many considerations in the disbursement of CVFF These factors are not only within Nigeria but international factors and there has to be cargo for the vessels to lift after they have been acquired.”
Highlighting the significant foreign exchange Nigeria could earn from seafarers exportation, the NIMASA DG said proper capacity development for local seafarers is not negotiable.
“I am aware of the benefits of seafarers in the Philippines where seafarers repatriate $26 billion to the country annually. Their seafarers are not better humans than our own. It is a matter of good training. Many countries are looking for good seafarers and we don’t want to send out half-baked seafarers. We are working on it,” he said.

The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, Nigeria oil and gas, has stated its determination to leverage cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions towards climate action and enhance sustainable energy development.
The Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, Olakunle Osobu gave this assurance while speaking at a panel session on ‘Stimulating early-stage investment into climate technologies to meet net zero goals’, at Gastech Climatetech & AI strategic and Technical Agenda held at George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, USA, with the theme ‘Transforming Energy Through Vision, Innovation, and Action.’
Speaking on Audience insight to explore investment solutions needed for startups to reach commercial viability and maturity, Osobu joined other stakeholders to call on governments to provide financial guarantees for climate tech investments.
“Also, government initiatives should offer tax credits or deductions for climate tech investments, provide early-stage funding for climate tech startups, streamline regulations, provide clear policies and standards,” he stated.
Like in Norway, where the government makes the technology work, Osobu pointed out that the Nigerian government must take the lead in creating an enabling environment that would make venture capital funds to focus on climate tech investments.
He stressed the need to establish carbon markets to incentivize emissions reduction.
Highlighting what NLNG is doing so far, he noted that NLNG potentials are great. ‘’we are looking at Carbon capture and storages”.
According to him, NLNG was looking at the prospect of biofuel, noting that the company is also committed to addressing climate change challenges through the implementation of its GreenHouse Gas (GHG) and Energy Management Plan.
He said that NLNG takes Climate Change seriously and various actions have been proposed and taken to mitigate the impact of its operations on the environment adding that the company continues to assess possible impact as well as mitigation actions needed for its port and facilities.
He noted that Nigeria LNG is a significant player in global energy industry, contributing to Nigeria’s energy transition and global efforts, which include Cleaner fossil fuel; efficient LNG production process; minimising energy consumption and emissions; Carbon Capture and Storage; exploring solar power for electricity generation and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction; targeting 20 per cent reduction by 2030.
Other members of the panel include were Patricia Melcher , Co-founder and MD EIV Capital; Bruece Niven, Head Strategic venturing Aramco Ventures; Marc Guilbert, Managing Partner BX Ventures; Bobby Tudor, CEO and founder Artemis Energy Partners; and Moderator , Timmeko Moore Love , Gm & SVP Greentown Labs.