Blue economy is the diversification of the economy through use of resources from oceans, rivers and lakes for the well being of the people
By Uzor Odigbo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has sought for wider participation of relevant stakeholders in the blue economy project to deepen participation and benefits of Nigerians from the country’s marine resources.
Osinbajo made the call at the inaugural meeting of an Expanded Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria in the Presidential Villa on Monday.
The VP said a viable blue economy project will offer a vista of opportunities not only for littoral states where there are bodies of water but for the entire country.
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He identified areas to be exploited including ports, terminals, fishing, training, environment, tourism, power, oil and gas.
While identifying possible challenges of sustainability, the Vice President urged all the ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen their collaborations in an atmosphere of inter-ministerial working groups and advised all members to attend the meetings faithfully for maximum results.
Osinbajo, who formally inaugurated the expanded committee, identified the need for a legal framework that will be more robust than other international maritime conventions on the blue economy which Nigeria has been a signatory to.
He said the scope and participation of the committee will be further improved upon to accommodate more members from government agencies and relevant private sector stakeholders
Osinbajo said “There is no doubt that the blue economy is a new frontier for economic development and a means of diversifying the economy through the use of resources from oceans, seas, rivers and lakes for the well being of the people.
“It also provides a positive contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) 2052 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (2052AIM) and the UN 2030 agenda
“This concept for economic diversification is promoted by the international community and provides friendly means of livelihood in line with this administration’s agenda on job creation
“The ocean economy as an emerging economic frontier applies to ocean-based industry activities and the assets, goods and services of marine ecosystems.
“Countries have to define the scope of their blue economy based on their priorities. For example, in Bangladesh, the ocean economy consists of the following broad and growing economic sectors; living resources, minerals, energy, transport trade, tourism and recreation, carbon sequestration and coastal protection. These industries and ecosystem services do not develop in isolation, but rather interact as an economic ecosystem” the VP said.
In his opening remark, Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi said the blue economy is capable of improving government revenue, creating employments and growing the gross domestic product of Nigeria.
Amaechi who was represented by Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the ministry also expressed optimism in the copious benefits derivable from a well exploited marine environment
Speaking at the event, Dr Paul Adalikwu, Secretary-General of Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) lauded the initiative of the expansion while recommending the inclusion of financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and African Development Bank (AfDB)and key financial institutions that will contribute meaningfully to realizing Nigeria’s Blue Economy objective.
Aside from maritime agencies like Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, the expanded committee also comprised of ten state governors including Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Ogun, Ondo, Cross River, Bayelsa and Edo States.
Other members are Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Power, Finance, Environment, Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Water Resources, Chief of Naval Staff, Comptroller General of Customs, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Nigeria Economic Summit Group and others.