Mkpoikana Udoma Port Harcourt — The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta, MOSIEND, has urged state governors in the Niger Delta to key into the federal government initiative of marine and blue economy, in order to built wealth for the governed and increase revenue generation.
MOSIEND said the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was an eye opener for the Niger Delta people to harness the marine potentials of the region.
President of MOSIEND, Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, averred that marine and blue economy would boost the nation’s dwindling economy, especially if states in the Niger Delta region are able to think smart and explore it to their advantage.
Tonjo-West called on Niger Delta governors to close ranks for the purpose of cohesion and regional growth to invest massively in the marine sector, as the only way forward to present economic situation
According to him, the Niger Delta region is richly blessed with undiscovered and untapped resources that can rapidly upscale revenue generation and economic growth, hence the Tinubu government’s approach looked promising to support any smart thinking region.
“We want the governors in the region not to waste any further time but to key into the federal government’s initiative. This ministry at the centre is an open door to welcome yet another vista of boundless opportunities inherent in our region.
“The opportunities in the marine and blue economy abound, hence, we should delve and explore, because, across the globe, countries with littoral topography are consciously taking advantage of immense derivatives.
“Beyond oil and gas, Niger Delta communities are blessed. In this harsh economic situation there is an urgent need for diversification and looking beyond oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is a promising outlook,” he said.
The group further emphasised that when people in landlocked states are talking about agriculture, people in littoral states should be talking about the maritime activities.
MOSIEND said recreating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy at the state level, would be a means through which the federal government could channel funds to develop the states through these ministries in the various Niger Delta states.
“It is expedient for politicians and leaders of the Niger Delta region to work together in achieving better results in the overall interest of the people now that there is a president who has good intentions for the region.
“Separating the Marine from the Ministry of Transportation will make the states focus on developing the potential in the maritime domain and achieve great results.
“Go to Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states, they don’t have any activity to develop the maritime sector. We need to now think outside the box to change the narratives, and building the seaports and reviving the already existing ones are the only way forward,” Tonjo-West added.
