Despite clamouring for more allocation, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy will be spending a total of N6.8 billion in 2025 on litigations, press-related activities, and various administrative operations.
This comes at a time when stakeholders in the maritime and blue economy sectors are raising concerns about the focus of the Ministry’s budget and the need for more investment in key infrastructure projects and critical sectoral issues.
According to a budget breakdown of the Ministry sighted by our correspondent last week, a total sum of N90 million has been allocated for litigations.
The Ministry’s reliance on litigation costs, especially in a year where some major infrastructural projects were not budgeted for, has raised eyebrows. Analysts are questioning whether this expenditure aligns with the Ministry’s broader goals, given that the maritime sector remains plagued by inefficiencies such as congestion at ports, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate security measures in critical maritime zones.
Another noteworthy aspect of the 2025 budget is the N34.56 million set aside for press and public relations activities. This covers media engagements, advertisements, and public awareness campaigns aimed at highlighting the Ministry’s achievements and ongoing efforts to transform the sector. The allocation also includes another N25 million for media personnel training programmes, workshops, and retreats.
Further within the Ministry’s 2025 budget, N8.28 million has been earmarked for modernizing the Ministry’s internal auditing and compliance monitoring systems. This allocation seeks to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure financial accountability. According to the ministry, by adopting more digital tools and processes, the Ministry hopes to better track the flow of funds and reduce financial mismanagement.
Moreover, N5.87 million was also allocated for the development of the Federal Contract Administration System (FCAS), a digital platform designed to streamline procurement processes and ensure contractors adhere to guidelines.
An interesting development in the 2025 budget is the N21.78 million allocated for tracking and monitoring the implementation of various projects under the Ministry’s oversight. This includes ongoing projects within the inland waterways, the dredging of key ports, and the provision of better safety measures. According to the budget, the funds will be used to hire monitoring staff and implement reporting tools to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
In addition to the allocations for litigation, press, and procurement, the 2025 budget also outlines funding for several key projects aimed at boosting the performance of the Ministry. These include the expansion of inland waterways infrastructure, which has been allocated N150 million to enhance the navigability of Nigeria’s rivers and lakes. The project aims to facilitate smoother transportation of goods, reduce congestion at ports, and improve the safety of inland water transport, the ministry justified.
Another major project is what it called the ‘National Port Modernization Programme’, which will receive N500 million in 2025. This programme is focused on modernizing the infrastructure of Nigeria’s major ports, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar, with the goal of easing congestion and improving operational efficiency.
Additionally, N400 million has been allocated for the establishment of the National Maritime Research Center, aimed at fostering innovation in marine technology and promoting research into sustainable maritime practices.
