Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, says that Nigeria has commenced the deployment of advanced technology to enhance its global competitiveness in maritime trade.
The minister made this remark on Wednesday during the inauguration of the new executive committee of the Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management (NIFEngM) in Port Harcourt.
Oyetola, represented by Peter Mbam, Director of Legal Services in the ministry, affirmed that the adoption of cutting-edge technology was part of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to the blue economy initiative.
According to him, facility engineers play a critical role in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of physical infrastructure for the marine and blue economy sectors.
“An inspiring example of the importance of facilities engineering in the blue economy initiative is the recent innovative development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
“This project exemplifiers how cutting-edge engineering and effective management can boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness in maritime trade.” Oyetola noted.
He explained that the blue economy involved the sustainable utilisation of ocean resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, create jobs, and preserve the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Oyetola added that the Federal Government was working closely with facility engineers to leverage on technology to build smarter and more resilient infrastructure across the country.
“Smart technologies, such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and big data, are revolutionising facilities management, and we are leveraging these innovations to improve our infrastructure,” he said.
The minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which underscores the importance of facilities engineering in achieving SDG 7, 9, and 14.
He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated NIFEngM executive committee would collaborate with the government to enhance the nation’s blue economy initiatives.
“Collaboration with facilities engineers will help drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“Together, we can advance the frontiers of facilities engineering and management for the benefit of our nation and future generations,” Oyetola said.
In response, Mr Christopher Egwuatu, the newly inaugurated 5th National Chairman of NIFEngM, assured the gathering that the new executive committee would work diligently to drive innovations in Nigeria’s industries.
Egwuatu emphasised that the committee would prioritise three key areas, including capacity building, industry collaboration, and advocacy to foster growth.
“NIFEngM, as a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), plays a vital role in promoting efficient facilities engineering and management practices in Nigeria.
“I am fully committed to delivering on this mandate,” Egwuatu pledged.
Dr Aluyah Okodugha, Vice President of the NSE, urged the newly elected leadership to prioritise policies that would support the development of facilities engineering in the country.
