By Innocent Orok
The Bayelsa State government, being the first State in the federation to create and appoint a Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy is seeking the partnership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) to harness its maritime potentials in the state.
Dr Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, who is the pioneer Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy in Bayelsa State led a delegation from the state government to a courtesy visit to the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobeolola at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos State.
According to Dr Zibs- Godwin, the ministry was recently established to harness the vast potential of Bayelsa state marine and coastal resources.
The Commissioner who presented a shopping list to the NIMASA boss further said that, the ministry was created for the following:
“OVERVIEW OF BAYELSA STATE’S BLUE ECONOMY
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE: Bayelsa State, with its extensive coastline and rich marine biodiversity, is positioned to be a leader in Nigeria’s blue economy.
“ECONOMIC POTENTIAL: We aim to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP by leveraging our marine resources for sustainable economic growth.
She however seeks for NIMASA’s support and collaboration:
“AREAS OF COLLABORATION WITH NIMASA REGULATORY SUPPORT: We seek NIMASA’s expertise in developing a robust regulatory framework for our blue economy initiatives. Your guidance will be crucial in ensuring compliance and sustainability.
“CAPACITY BUILDING: We request NIMASA’s assistance in designing and implementing training programs for our local fishermen to enhance their skills and adopt sustainable fishing practices.
” SHORT-TERM INITIATIVES
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: We are organising a Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Summit to discuss opportunities and challenges in the blue economy. We would be honoured to have NIMASA actively participate and share insights.
“TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR FISHERMEN: We plan to launch training programs for artisanal fishermen to improve their techniques and promote sustainable practices. We seek NIMASA’s support in providing trainers and resources.
“DEVELOPMENT OF BAYELSA FISH CITY: We will be initiating the development of a Bayelsa Fish City to centralise and enhance our fishery activities. This project aims to create jobs, improve fish processing and storage, and boost local and international trade. We request NIMASA’s support in regulatory guidance and potential partnership opportunities.
“LONG-TERM PROJECTS
PORT DEVELOPMENT: Bayelsa State intends to develop a port to boost trade and economic activities. We would like NIMASA’s support in ensuring regulatory compliance and technical assistance in this project.
Offshore Renewable Energy: We hope to explore offshore wind and tidal energy projects. We believe NIMASA’s experience can help us navigate the regulatory landscape and ensure successful project implementation.
“ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
MARINE DEBRIS AND POLLUTION: Marine debris, particularly plastic waste, is a significant concern. We seek NIMASA’s collaboration and support in addressing this issue to protect our marine ecosystem and promote a cleaner environment.
“EVACUATION OF COASTAL WRECKS: The evacuation of coastal wrecks, which are a common feature along our coastlines, is essential for improving navigation safety and protecting our marine environment. We look forward to NIMASA’s support and expertise in this area.
“SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: We are committed to promoting sustainable practices within our blue economy sector. NIMASA’s policies and support will be vital in enforcing these practices. We would appreciate NIMASA’s guidance in developing and implementing sustainable marine practices.
“INVESTMENT AND PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
ATTRACTING INVESTMENT: We are keen on attracting both local and foreign investments into Bayelsa’s blue economy. We seek NIMASA’s collaboration in creating an investor-friendly environment.
Public-Private Partnerships: We are looking to establish public-private partnerships to develop maritime infrastructure and services. NIMASA’s support in facilitating these partnerships will be invaluable”.
Dr Zibs- Godwin in her Concluding remarks
reiterate the commitment of Bayelsa State to working closely with NIMASA to develop a thriving blue economy that “benefits our state and the nation”.
She said “Continuous Collaboration: We encourage continuous engagement and collaboration between our ministry and NIMASA to ensure we achieve our shared goals.
“FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS:
Joint Task Force: We propose creating a joint task force to monitor and drive the progress of our collaborative initiatives.
“REGULAR MEETINGS: We suggest regular meetings between our teams to review progress, address challenges, and explore new opportunities.”
