The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have been urged to recognize the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) as a worthy partner in achieving the ministry’s goals.
The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) successfully hosted its highly anticipated workshop, themed “Port Community Engagement: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development,”
The event took place at Rockview Hotel in GRA Apapa, Lagos, on 17th December, 2024, with notable dignitaries in attendance.
Chief Abdullai Tony Dania made the call while delivering his speech as a Guest Speaker, during the highly anticipated workshop, themed “Port Community Engagement: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development,”.
Dania also emphasized the need for CONMMEP, as a media advocacy group, to be bold in its pursuit of accountability and transparency
The Guest Speaker however encouraged CONMMEP to follow up on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) initiatives to promote sustainable development in host communities around Nigerian ports.
Recall that the NUPRC inaugurated the Host Community Development and Administration Trust Board of Trustees (BOT) Forum in February 2024, incorporating 103 Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), with 52 already funded.
The workshop on port community engagement focuses on implementing the Host Community provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), offering $230 million in discretionary grant funding for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects.
In his remarks, HRM Oba Mohammed Moroof Oyekunle Attanda Amodu Tijani Olúwa, the paramount ruler of the premier ports communities in Lagos challenged government agencies and organizations over their neglect of his kingdom.
Panelists at the event emphasized the need for effective engagement with youths and community leaders in the removal and economic use of water hyacinths and wrecks by relevant agencies.
The event was well-attended by notable industry stakeholders such as the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), the Nigeria Customs Service among others.