Sustainable development of maritime resources vital

Syazwan Sadikin
BRUNEI-MUARA

ALL activities of the maritime sector in Brunei should be conducted in line with the concept of sustainable development as part of efforts towards turning the country into one of the world's most significant maritime nations, said the Minister of Communications yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar who delivered his speech after officiating at Green Port Initiative at the Ports Department yesterday talked extensively on sustainable development in the local maritime sector.

The minister said that as Brunei aspired to emerge as a developed country, the contribution and the role of its maritime sector to fulfil this aim had been highlighted and was becoming more significant.

He said that stakeholders should focus on the philosophy of sustainable development in the local maritime sector including protecting the environment when developing maritime infrastructure and in promoting maritime economic activities such as shipping, fisheries and offshore oil and gas exploration and production.

As the maritime sector continues to have an increased importance in the nation's economy, YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah said that it had become critical for stakeholder with interests in the maritime sector to create an organised plan and develop economic maritime activities in support of defending the country's maritime interests. "Activities relating to maritime protection as well as joint initiatives in this sector should be planned with care and continuously promoted in accordance with fulfilling the needs of sustainable development," said the minister.

He added that sustainable development should be made as the main aspiration in planning the maritime economy in Brunei to guarantee that future generations will appreciate the environment as well as maritime resources that have been preserved.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah hopes that soon-to-be implemented Maritime Master Plan will further develop the maritime industry of Brunei and further assist in achieving the intended aim in an exceptional, organised and effective manner. "With that, it is appropriate that the activities relating to this critical sector should be planned, implemented and managed in accordance to an eco-friendly philosophy to ensure that the resources and nation's maritime assets are preserved for future generations," said the minister.

The ministry, said YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah, takes the issue of solving pollution relating to the transportation sector very seriously as it is part of the ministry's core strategic plan for a safe and clean environment. The initiative towards a Green Port, said the minister, would fulfil the aim by providing an action plan based on international good practices and management programmes based on environment, safety and health towards developing maritime activities based on the principles of strong development and sustainability. "The initiative towards a Green Port is not only limited to the conservation of the environment and its resources, but also covers management of human resources and finance as well as physical building," said the minister.

This concept, said the minister, would be included in the planning and management of Muara Port Container Expansion Project in the 10th National Development Plan (RKN) project which will be implemented by the Ports Department in a short time.

He went on to say that as an important part of Brunei's economic success, it was critical that the country should maintain and enhance its efforts to balance the growth of the maritime sector in terms of the preservation of the environment, its resources and development. The minister said that aspects of preserving the environment should be stressed in development, implementation, administration and monitoring maritime economic activities through effective steps such as "Environmental Impact Assessment" for every development project around the maritime area.

"A well organised plan should be stressed in the management of the port's area including the coast to prevent and minimise pollution," said the minister.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah raised the importance of conservation of the eco-system and biodiversity and in in preserving the resources of maritime economy such as shipping, development and port operation. "If left unchecked and not eco-friendly can contribute to the maritime pollution," said the minister.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times