Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Stakeholders in the maritime sector have applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, saying that it will bring a positive economic revolution in the country.
The President, Admiralty Lawyers Society of Nigeria, Angus Obinna Chukwuka, the new ministry was the most creative and innovative step taken by President Tinubu’s administration, to
Chukwuka expressed optimism that the ministry will remain, even if the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal does not favours the incumbent President, and also expressed delight over the innovation in the aviation ministry.
He said, “The creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is quite applaudable. This assessment is premised on the fact that the maritime industry is so vast and untapped in our clime that it will be underutilized if a distinct ministry is not carved out for it.
“There are so many aspects of its productive areas with great promise of employment opportunities and revenues. Its potentials can never be realized in a lumped-up situation. We are looking to have a positive revolution economy wise.
“Admiralty Lawyers Society of Nigeria therefore lauds the federal government for this innovation but prays the federal government to do a proper work portfolio between the relevant ministries to avoid job and personality clashes.”
Similarly, the Publisher of the Blue Economy Magazine, Dr. Priye Kiyaramo, has urged Niger Delta governors to invest in the emerging blue economy to unleash potentials of the ocean to create more jobs and boost their states’ economies.
Kiyaramo who is also the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Government on Tourism, noted that the oceans, seas and coastal areas contribute to food security and poverty eradication and that over 3billion people use the oceans for sustenance and 80percent of world trade occurs over the seas.
He noted that the blue economy describes the sustainable use and conservation of aquatic resources in both marine and freshwater environments, including oceans and seas, coastlines and banks, lakes, rivers and groundwater.
He explained that marine related investments will trigger sufficient blue growth in the Niger Delta region because of its abundant marine resources, begging for attention, and commended President Tinubu for creating the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The tourism practitioner called for an urgent need for Niger Delta states to articulate workable strategies to foster the benefits of a sustainable ocean economy that would enable the zone to optimise the use of the marine resources without jeopardizing the health of the ocean and the ecosystems.
The governor’s aide further noted that, while the traditional maritime industries continue to innovate at a brisk rate, the emerging ocean industries have also continued to attract more attention from investors.
“These industries which include offshore wind, tidal and wave energy, oil and gas production in ultra-deep water and exceptionally harsh environments, offshore aquaculture, seabed mining, cruise tourism, maritime surveillance and marine biotechnology are best fitted to be located in the south-south region.
“Findings indicate that the concept of a blue economy emphasizes conservation and sustainable management, based on the premise that healthy ocean ecosystems are more productive and a must for sustainable ocean-based economies.
“The concept of “blue growth” refers to a more sustainable ocean economy, enabling the optimum use of its resources according to the health of the ocean and its ecosystems. Therefore, investing in the Blue Economy means unlocking the potential of the ocean to create more jobs and boost the economy.
“As a marine and coastal analogue to the Green Economy, the Blue Economy approach is based on a vision of “improved wellbeing and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities according to UNEP,” Kiyaramo said.
