Oyetola made this known on Sunday in a statement by his spokesperson, Dr Bolaji Akinola, following a meeting with a delegation from NNPC Shipping, Stena Bulk, and Caverton Offshore.

The meeting took place at the Ministry in Abuja and reaffirmed Oyetola’s commitment to reversing the over-reliance on waivers for foreign vessels in Nigerian waters.

The visit coincided with the official unveiling of Unity Shipping World, USW, a new joint venture by NNPC Shipping, Stena Bulk, and Caverton Offshore Support Group.

The joint venture seeks to develop a strong tanker operation capable of transporting crude oil, refined products, and LNG across Nigeria, West Africa, and internationally.

The Cabotage Act restricts coastal shipping to Nigerian-owned, Nigerian-crewed, and Nigerian-built or -flagged vessels.

However, due to limited local capacity, waivers have frequently been granted to foreign vessels, undermining domestic shipping growth and competitiveness.

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Oyetola criticised this long-standing trend, stating that it had hindered the development of local shipping firms and reduced opportunities for Nigerian maritime professionals.

He said the decision was aimed at strengthening the maritime sector, creating jobs, and increasing indigenous participation in the nation’s shipping industry.

“The era of indiscriminate waivers is ending. We can’t keep weakening local capacity under the guise of temporary foreign assistance.

“It is time to build Nigerian tonnage, support local employment, and give indigenous operators a fair chance to succeed,” Oyetola said.

To support this policy shift, the minister instructed NIMASA to begin the disbursement process for the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF.

The fund, generated through cabotage levies, is designed to help Nigerian ship owners acquire vessels and expand their operational capabilities.

Oyetola emphasised the urgency of disbursing the fund, calling it vital for empowering local operators in the face of reduced foreign waivers.

“As the waiver era ends, supporting indigenous ship owners becomes even more crucial,” he stated.

He also reaffirmed the government’s plan to launch a national shipping carrier through a Public-Private Partnership, enhancing Nigeria’s maritime influence regionally.

Caverton Offshore’s CEO, Bode Makanjuola, described the new joint venture as transformative for Nigeria’s maritime industry.

He said Unity Shipping World, USW, would provide efficient, reliable, and sustainable marine transport services for the country’s growing energy needs.

According to him, the company plans to build a modern fleet by acquiring new and existing vessels while focusing on cost and operational efficiency.

Makanjuola noted that the fleet would primarily support NNPC’s logistics but also serve other oil producers and energy traders.

He stressed USW’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and training for Nigerian seafarers to ensure long-term industry growth.

“This partnership reflects careful planning and a shared vision. It combines local expertise with global standards for real impact.

“Unity Shipping World will proudly fly the Nigerian flag and help train the next generation of seafarers,” Makanjuola said.

Panos Gliatis, Managing Director of NNPC Shipping, said the alliance would enhance domestic refining and support Nigeria’s global energy logistics role.

Stena Bulk President and CEO, Erik Hånell, echoed this, highlighting the alignment of the venture with his company’s global strategy.

“We are committed to operational excellence and growth in key energy markets. This partnership boosts Nigeria’s shipping and energy sectors,” Hånell said.

Source: NAN

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Organised in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, the first leg of the training was held in in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, on November 7, 2022 with 32 female journalists in attendance, predominantly from the southern parts of the country, while the second training which is expected to be attended by 35 female journalists selected from the northern parts of the country, will be held in Abuja on 21 November, 2022.

The specific objective of the media component is to ensure that, “The Media, including New and Social Media, provides fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of the Electoral Process”.

The overall goal is to “Support the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria with the media (broadcast, print and online media) helping to facilitate the key ingredient of credible elections through engagement and professionalism in coverage and reportage of the electoral processes”.

The IPC initiative aims to position female journalists to deliver impactful, public-interest and investigative reporting of the electoral process especially by incorporating the use of data tools in reporting the electoral process and the elections.

The sessions are targeted to place female journalists at the frontline on elections reporting to write and produce special reports that are professional, inclusive, conflict-sensitive, fact-checked and data driven.

Participants at the training would be required to pitch impactful story ideas for which the resource person shall be providing mentorship guide and editorial assistance.

The Executive Director IPC, Mr. Larne Arogundade, in a statement said that “within the framework of supporting the media by improving the gender stereotyped representations of women’s political participation, the skill-enhancing session for the journalists is imperative to re-direct and prospect opportunities for new impactful and professional reporting of the electoral process while empowering female journalists as agents of change”.

Mrs. Motunrayo Joel, Deputy Editor Africa- Check, Nigeria, Dr. Titi Osuagwu, University of Port- Harcourt, and Taiwo Obe, Founder Journalism Clinic, facilitated the first training in Port-Harcourt, incorporating the topics; “Factual accuracy and combating fake news: The place of fact checking and data use in reporting of 2023 elections”, “Electoral Processes & 2023 Elections: According Priority to Issues of Women and other underrepresented groups” and “Impactful Reporting of Electoral Processes and 2023 Elections: Focusing on Issues & Telling Stories That Matter and Conflict-sensitivity and safety in election reporting.

Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, CEO, International Society of Media in Public Health, David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor, Africa Check, and Taiwo Obe, Founder Journalism Clinic, will facilitate the upcoming training in Abuja.

IPC plans to train and mentor a total of 140 female journalists drawn from the print, online and broadcast media hubs during the pre and post elections cycles.

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