Joyce Veronica Mmereole
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has reiterated the need for Nigeria to adopt the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to drive infrastructural development in the maritime sector.
Speaking during a meeting with Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mobereola highlighted the crucial role of private sector involvement in advancing the country’s maritime capacity.
According to Mobereola, while the government has made efforts to develop the sector, the capital-intensive nature of maritime infrastructure necessitates collaboration with private investors.
He urged the ICRC to create PPP-based business models that would appeal to both local and international investors, ensuring the necessary funds and expertise for growth.
“We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure,” Mobereola said.
“We need the ICRC to develop PPP-based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.”
He also stressed the need for technological integration to streamline processes and ensure efficient service delivery, pointing out that NIMASA is counting on the ICRC’s continued support in driving its PPP initiatives.
Dr. Ewalefoh echoed Mobereola’s sentiments, emphasizing the strategic importance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy. He noted that the PPP model could accelerate development by attracting private sector funding and expertise.
“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure, and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive,” Ewalefoh said.
He added that the focus should be on improving service delivery, which would naturally lead to higher revenues as users receive better services.
The PPP model, widely regarded as a global standard for infrastructural development, has been central to NIMASA’s strategy to promote growth in the maritime industry.
