By Gabriel Agbeja,
Nigeria is a coastal state blessed with abundant marine resources including the Atlantic Ocean which abuts its southern border, enormous network of navigable inland waterways and large delta ecosystem of global significance.
The Federal Government of Nigeria created the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) in August 2023 as demonstration of the government`s willingness to harness the resources in a sustainable manner.
The move is one of the critical innovations of President Bola Tinubu indicating nation`s appreciation and acknowledgement of the marine resources as key economy asset and driver.
To actively manage the new ministry, the FMMBE Minister, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, organised a 3-day strategic retreat in Abuja from Jan.11 to Jan.13 for both public and private stakeholders in the industry.
The event marked a crucial step in the journey of the new ministry.
The theme of the retreat was: “Towards an Effective Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. “
During his welcome address, Oyetola said the federal government would explore the potential inherent in blue economy to diversify the nation’s revenue drive.
Speaking at the retreat on the “Roadmap, National Maritime and Blue Economy,” Oyetola said the federal government would explore the potential of blue economy to boost the nation’s economy.
According to him, government will also leverage blue economy to promote sustainable development by cultivating environmental stewardship across the country.
“As stated in the vision of the ministry, we have the onerous task to work to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation by using the potential of its blue economy.
“Our aim today is to spearhead this vision to harness the vast opportunities within the country’s maritime and aquatic domains.
“Also to lay the foundation upon which strong and sustainable institutions will be built and on which the maritime and blue economy sector will thrive,” he said.
The minister said that expectation of the retreat included an acceptable draft of the Strategic Plan and Road Map and Guideline for the production of a draft National Marine and Blue Economy Policy.
Oyetola, who urged the stakeholders to see the assignment as the national cause and treat it with all seriousness, added that the outcome of the engagements and deliberations would have both national and global impact.
“Permit me to state that our work here today, when finished, will become part of our nation’s history and we can proudly say that we were part of the team which charted a path for the growth of the maritime sector in Nigeria.
“I must also commend the management and organising committee of this retreat for their commitment to ensuring its success.
“I look forward to a successful retreat which would midwife the development of a strategic blueprint which would guide our collective actions towards developing the blue economy potential of the nation,” he said.
The minister said the nation ought to be innovative to harness the enormous potential for development that abounds in the country.
“As stakeholders in the sector, the responsibility lies on us to work with government to forge a viable path towards the actualisation of the opportunity created by the establishment of this ministry.
“As a responsible government, we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our people and resources.
“We will continue to partner and work with our numerous and varied stakeholders both in public and private space to ensure maritime safety and security and to safeguard our maritime ecosystem for future generations,” he said.
Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, House Committee on Shipping Services, said the committee was working on maritime laws that would guarantee all-inclusive regulation towards viable marine business environment.
Contributing, Hajia Kadija Bukar Ibrahim, Chairman House Committee on Marine Economy, assured the ministry of the committee’s working relationship to ensure that the roadmap becomes a policy.
“My committee sees the marine business as a major source of nation`s economy.
“ As a matter of oversight function, the committee is there to help the marine and blue economy to become one of the best ministries in Nigeria.
“Please do not be intimidated, we are only here to work together and to be sure that progress is made absolutely`, she said.
Mr Bashir Jamoh, the Director- General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the federal government has determined to further employ maritime activates to improve national development.
According to him, the federal government is ready to explore benefits in maritime to create more job, to reduce poverty and to promote sustainable blue economy development in the country. (NANFeatures)
