The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) has successfully organized its much-anticipated workshop, themed “Port Community Engagement: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” at the Rockview Hotel, GRA Apapa, Lagos.

Chief Abdullai Tony Dania Esq, the guest speaker, delivered a compelling presentation, shedding light on critical government policies, programs, and projects impacting Nigeria’s maritime space and port communities. He emphasized the pivotal role of CONMMEP as a media advocacy group in promoting accountability and transparency, urging its members to actively support sustainable development efforts.

During the workshop, a call was made to the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, to recognize CONMMEP as a strategic partner in achieving the ministry’s objectives. Similarly, the group was encouraged to monitor and support the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development in host communities around Nigerian ports.

The NUPRC’s groundbreaking Host Community Development and Administration Trust Board of Trustees (BOT) Forum, inaugurated in February 2024, was highlighted as a key initiative. The program, which currently includes 103 Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs)—52 of which are already funded—focuses on implementing provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to benefit local communities.

In a related development, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced a $230 million funding opportunity under its Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), providing critical financial support for port and intermodal infrastructure projects.

In his keynote address, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who was represented by Deputy Customs Public Relations Officer, SC Evelyn Enweani described community engagement as a collaborative process of working with various stakeholders, including customs agencies, shipping companies, and port operators, to address shared challenges and foster mutual growth. He underscored that such engagement not only improves operations but also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are essential for economic stability and social progress.

The Customs Area Controller elaborated on the benefits of community engagement, noting that it aids in informed decision-making by helping port authorities understand the concerns and priorities of the community. This, in turn, ensures that policies and projects are aligned with the needs of stakeholders.

Olomu also pointed out that community engagement fosters shared knowledge, creating opportunities for mutual learning that strengthen economic stability. Additionally, he emphasized the role of digital platforms, such as Port Community Systems (PCS), in streamlining operations by enabling efficient information exchange and faster decision-making, especially in an era of advanced technology.

The workshop also featured the presence of HRM Oba Mohammed Moroof Oyekunle Attanda Amodu Tijani Oluwa, the paramount ruler of Lagos’ premier port communities, who expressed disappointment over the neglect of his kingdom by government agencies. He noted that only the Standards Organization of Nigeria and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had sent representatives to the event.

Panelists and discussants at the workshop emphasized the need for youth engagement and community involvement in removing and economically utilizing water hyacinths and wrecks. The interactive sessions underscored the importance of fostering collaboration between government agencies, community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Earlier, Alhaji Tunde Umar-Daniah, President of CONMMEP, welcomed participants to the workshop and reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s ports.

He highlighted the importance of addressing environmental degradation, economic inequality, and social disparities while fostering green infrastructure and climate resilience.

Umar-Daniah urged policymakers and stakeholders to act on the recommendations from the workshop, emphasizing the need for community-led initiatives and impactful policy reforms.

The workshop was widely attended by notable stakeholders, further solidifying CONMMEP’s role as a critical voice in maritime media advocacy and a facilitator of constructive dialogue within the industry.