By Sandra Kenneth
The National Chairman of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Comrade Martins Giadom, has called for the effective implementation of maritime policies to spur sustainable development and drive excellence in the country’s maritime sector.
Comrade Giadom made the call during his remarks at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration organized by the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the EMR in Uyo on September 24.
Addressing stakeholders, Giadom noted that the global theme for the event, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” serves as a critical reminder for Nigeria to transition from policy formulation to active execution, adequate funding, and measurable development.
To eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and build local capacity, the EMR Chairman advocated for the continuous review and alignment of key legislative frameworks, including the Cabotage Act, the Merchant Shipping Act, and the NIMASA Act, to create a more competitive and investor-friendly maritime ecosystem.
Focusing on Akwa Ibom State, Giadom highlighted its vast maritime endowments—including an extensive coastline, navigable waterways, offshore assets, and lucrative prospects in shipping, fisheries, marine transport, and tourism.
Commenting on the state-level theme, “Unlocking Akwa Ibom’s Maritime and Blue Economy Potential through Effective Policy Implementation, Local Content Participation and Strategic Partnerships,” Giadom urged the state government to move beyond acknowledging its natural assets and actively govern and invest in them.
To achieve this, Giadom joined the EMR Akwa Ibom Chapter in recommending the establishment of a dedicated State Ministry of Blue Economy to coordinate maritime assets, attract private investment, and drive local content participation.
He further underscored the need to bolster maritime security, improve port operational efficiency, advance seafarer training, adopt digital solutions, and safeguard the marine environment. He reaffirmed EMR’s commitment to deploying investigative and responsible journalism to promote transparency and highlight economic opportunities within the sector.
