Create Blue Economy Ministry, Maritime Reporters Tell Gov Eno

Journalists under the aegis of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMRN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter have expressed dismay at the lack of political will by the administration of Governor Umo Eno to diversify and invest massively in the maritime sub-sector of the state’s economy.

They noted that the blue economy now holds the ace in the socioeconomic development of the world.

The chairman of the forum, Comrade Harrison Ndifreke; the national secretary, Dr Saviour Ekpe and the state secretary, Comrade Mabel Ekanem, in a communique made available to journalists in Uyo, the state capital at the weekend, stressed the need for a stand-alone Blue Economy Ministry to effectively harness the inherent potentials and resources in the sector.

“Akwa Ibom is richly endowed with maritime resources capable of transforming the State’s revenue profile and creating thousands of jobs if properly harnessed through a dedicated institutional framework.

“Available records indicate that Akwa Ibom possesses approximately 28 kilometres of coastline, 22 underdeveloped jetties and terminals, over 100 offshore platforms and rigs, crude oil production of about 5,400 barrels per day and more than 3,000 vessels operating within its maritime domain.

“The state is also blessed with abundant fisheries resources, aquatic organisms, sea salt deposits and kaolin minerals.

“Despite these enormous advantages, Akwa Ibom continues to lose significant economic opportunities and revenues from anchorage services, local content participation, community-assisted project valuations, chandelling operations, stevedoring services and other maritime support activities to neighbouring States.

“The creation of Ministry of Blue Economy will provide a coordinated platform for policy formulation, regulation, investment promotion, revenue generation, employment creation and sustainable management of the state’s maritime assets.

“The ministry will help establish a comprehensive database of vessels, platforms, maritime service providers, seafarers and international oil companies operating within the State’s maritime environment, thereby strengthening regulatory oversight and improving revenue collection,” the communique stated.

The stakeholders maintained that ‘the maritime sector remains one of the most viable economic sectors in Akwa Ibom after crude oil, noting that with the right policies and institutional support, the Blue Economy can become a major driver of Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs);and sustainable development of the State.

The communique stressed that “Maritime activities have the potentials to create over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs across various sectors including maritime transportation, fisheries and aquaculture, ship leasing, marine logistics, chandelling, stevedoring, tourism and environmental services.”

“The strategic importance of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone and Marine Solutions Hub, which spans over 50,000 hectares across several local government areas, including Ikot Abasi, Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Oruk Anam, Onna, Ibeno, Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Esit Eket and Eket local government areas calls for a dedicated ministry to provide the institutional framework required to maximize the economic benefits of this critical maritime assets.

“The Federal Government has already established the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, while states such as Bayelsa and Benue have full-fledged ministry of Blue Economy, Lagos State named theirs as Ministry of Waterfront. Rivers and other States have taken proactive steps by creating dedicated structures to drive blue economy development.

“We, therefore, urged Governor Umo Eno to seize the opportunity to position Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s leading maritime and blue economy hub by establishing a Ministry of Blue Economy staffed by experienced maritime professionals and supported by appropriate legislation.

“The initiative would significantly boost revenue generation, create employment opportunities, attract investments, strengthen local content participation and further advance the ARISE Agenda blueprint of the present administration.

Akwa Ibom possesses the resources, strategic location, and maritime advantages necessary to become a dominant force in Nigeria’s blue economy. What remains is the political will to establish the institution that will coordinate and drive this transformation,” they stressed.