CONMMEP president, Tunde Umar-Daniah making his speech at the occasion.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) on Tuesday successfully hosted its highly anticipated workshop, themed “Port Community Engagement: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” at the Rockview Hotel in GRA Apapa, Lagos.
Chief Abdullai Tony Dania Esq, the guest speaker, delivered a high-standard presentation, highlighting government policies, programmes and projects within the Nigerian maritime space and port communities. His presentation emphasised the need for CONMMEP as a media advocacy group to be bold in its pursuit of accountability and transparency.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, was urged to recognise CONMMEP as a worthy partner in achieving the Ministry’s goals. CONMMEP was also encouraged to follow up on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) initiatives to promote sustainable development in host communities around Nigerian ports.
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. This programme 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 Programme (PIDP), offering $230 million in discretionary grant funding for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects.
The paramount ruler of the premier ports communities in Lagos, HRM Oba Mohammed Moroof Oyekunle Attanda Amodu Tijani Oluwa, attended the workshop and challenged government agencies and organizations over their neglect of his kingdom. Notably, only the Nigeria Customs Service, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Shippers Council sent representatives.
The workshop’s panelists and discussants emphasised 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.
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