By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.
As the World is migrating towards an Ocean Economy through the untapped abundance of resources deposited in the Sea, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has on Tuesday reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing the ocean resources for economic growth.
The Minister handed down this during the 1st International Marine and Blue Economy Conference and Trade Exhibition on Marine and Blue Economy at Golden Tulip in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
Dr. Adegboyega, who was represented by Alhaji Husaini Shettima, Director Conservation, Innovation and Technology in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, said, is pleased to address the gathering at a time when the global community is rethinking its relationship with the ocean and marine resources.
The Minister said, The theme of the conference ‘Sustainable Blue Economy: Advancing Safety, Economic and Social Resilience in the Coastal Ecosystem is both timely and strategic.” It captures the essence of our mandate as a nation newly committed to unlocking the potential Maritime domain for sustainable national growth, while assuring that safety, economic vitality, and community resilience remain central to our approach”.
Speaking further, said ” Nigeria is blessed with a coastline of about 853 kilometers and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 200 nautical miles, rich in biodiversity, fisheries, hydrocarbon, and Maritime routes. Yet, for decades, the immense opportunities within our marine and blue economy have remained largely untapped due to structural inefficiency, fragmented governance, inadequate infrastructure, and limited human capacity.
“Globally, the Blue Economy is estimated at over $2.5 trillion annually, yet Africa contributes less than 5 percent, and Nigeria’s share remains minimal, not due to lack of potential, but due to insufficient strategies and a sustainable framework. We are determined to change this by aligning our policies and operations with international best practices, while promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
“The Ministry recognises that while Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources are abundant, several operational policy gaps must be addressed to fully harness their potential and achieve a resilient and sustainable blue economy. If this gap is not tackled, limit our ability to enhance safety, drive economic growth, and strengthen social resilience in coastal Communities.
The Minister highlighted some of the critical areas, which include Infrastructural and technology deficit, ” many of our ports, jetties, coastal facilities are outdated, Maritime security and governance, environmental degradation and coastal vulnerability, skills and human capacity gap. While the challenges are real, they also present opportunities for innovation and investment”.
He said, the emerging areas the Ministry actively promotes include Blue infrastructure financing, Marine renewable Energy, sustainable fisheries and Aquaculture, Coastal Tourism and Heritage preservation, Marine and Data Innovation platform, among others”.
In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Ndutimi Komonibo said the conversation around the Niger Delta has been framed by challenges which include environmental degradation, Underdevelopment, and lost opportunities. Saying today, “we gathered to rewrite that narrative”.
Komonibo who is the president of the Coalition of South South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture ( COSSCCIMA) further said, the Blue Economy offers the country a new Frontier rooted not in extractive oil dependence, but in innovation, sustainability, Maritime entrepreneurship, ocean governance, fisheries, logistics, tourism, coastal infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate change.
“The blue economy is not a government agenda alone, it is an economic agenda that requires coordinated private-sector Leadership. We are ready to strengthen port competitiveness, to promote intra-regional trade, to unlock Maritime job creation, to champion innovation and skills development, to partner with academia for curriculum upgrades, and to work with security agencies to enhance Maritime safety”.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Prof. Allen Agih, said the conference is actually long overdue, saying that what we have is the abundant Marine resources.
Talking about the blue economy is not more to the ocean and the rivers that we have. The blue economy concept is not something that is alien to us; it’s just about the ocean’s abundant resources. And this has been given to us from the beginning of time, but we only use it for drinking, washing clothes, and other menial things. But the concept of the blue economy is actually about the blue gold in the world”.
According to the VC, the society is moving from the black gold to blue gold, which has natural resources in abundance. Saying there is a need to take the bull by the horns by harnessing these resources that God has given to us free of charge.
“As a university, we are in the heart of the Niger Delta, and with the Institute of Maritime Studies, we are to partner with relevant agencies to harness the resources in our ocean and rivers, and by doing so, we would be able to develop the economy of the Niger Delta region and the economy of the country. Our Youths have some skills that will provide them with a good job”.
While the Bayelsa Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said the state was among the states that created the ministry to align with the Federal government.
The Commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary Engr John John Olali, stressed that the ministry is poised to develop it’s untapped Marine and Blue Economy and explore the aquatic, tourism, transportation and create employment opportunities for diverse segment of the state and pledge collaboration with organizations to enable the state benefit from the comparative advantages of the oceans and rivers that the state is blessed with naturally.
The 1st International Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition on Marine and Blue Economy was organized by the Institute of Maritime Studies, Niger Delta University, Amassoma Wilberforce Island in Bayelsa state.
The four-day event is expected to come out with a communique, according to the organizers.
