Blue Economy: ‘Don’t Politicise Oceanography, Marine Institute’

Experts have urged faceless critics not to politicise issues concerning The Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR).
A maritime expert, Clement Odo, said that following the giant strides of the current leadership, several groups have observed growth, while some individuals, due to their selfish ends, have channelled efforts into distorting existing rules of law in the selection of the NIOMR.

He said, “Interestingly, the agency was first under the Ministry of Science and Technology before being moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and currently under the Ministry of Blue Economy, which may have been one of the best decisions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for effective service delivery.
“Moreover, President Tinubu’s power as the Commander-in-Chief surpasses any act or tenure law on who leads any agency, whether as a first-term officer or renewing the seat thereof.”

Another expert, a marine engineer, Ibrahim Mohammed, said there are erroneous impressions at rubbishing the power of the C-in-C by some faceless groups and strange writers. He said that faceless writers may not understand the acts establishing agencies like the NIOMR and several others.

He explained that the Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research is a specialist area that needs experienced experts, especially now that the mandate is not limited to Fisheries but also to further deliver on President Tinubu’s mandate on Marine and Blue Economy.

“The erroneous report that attempts are being made either to seek a second term extension or efforts are being made to facilitate the movement of the institute from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is an ill wind aimed at distorting the developments and giant strides made by moving NIOMR to the Blue Economy ministry, where the Institute should primarily belong,” he said.