By Anne Ejuka
The Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Hon. Godswill Akpabio and Minister of State for Transportation senator Gbemi Saraki have jointly called on African countries to take advantage of the blue economy for sustainable development of their countries.
They stated this during the 3rd Annual symposium of African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) with the theme "African Blue Economy Which Way To Go?" held in Lagos on Thursday, 7th October, 2021.
Hon Godswill Akpabio while speaking at the occasion, noted that despite the potential benefits and opportunities associated with the aquatic resources, the resources of the oceans and inland waters are under serious threats due to the neglect as well as climate change and extreme weather conditions
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Babayo Ardo, noted that the impact of pollution arising mainly from effects of over-exploitation and exploration of the resources especially petroleum product including the issue of insecurity.
He further informed that the theme for the symposium is to challenge member States of the African Union (AU) of their various roles and contributions to the development of the blue economy which is projected to generate about $296billion with 49 million jobs, he further informed that by 2030 the figures will be $405 billion with 57 million jobs while in 2063 estimates would be $576 billion of value created and 78 million of jobs.
He explained that currently the blue economy initiative is in the front burner as a result of its huge gains in the area of job creation and socio-economic development.
He stated that the ministry will initiate the move to drive the process and work towards the development of Bio Economy strategic framework for the Niger Delta Region.
Also, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, minister of state for Transportation the same vain, noted that the theme of the symposium: “African Blue World; Which Way To Go?” is apt and coming at this critical moment when the continent is at a crossroad on the urgent need to level-up to international stage on best practices to beneficially adopt the emerging and lucrative economy, while keeping her oceans, seas and the entire marine ecosystem safe, healthy and sustainable.
Saraki who was represented at the occasion by a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Transportation, Chief Ofie Adams, said the blue economy is relevant to all countries and can be applied on various scales from local, national and global levels.
She explained that countries of African continent, including Nigeria, are not only integral part of the entire world marine ecosystem, but surely an important components.
The Minister further informed that 38 of Africa 54 countries are coastal with six islands whose combined maritime industry is estimated to worth $1 trillion per year.
She however said to achieve the potential actionable policies formulated by African experts, governments and other stakeholders must be founded on trusted and diversified knowledge base, supported and complemented with management and development of resources that will help inspire and support innovation to achieve a deserved lead Position in blue economy.
She also noted that residual negative impact of environment and ecosystems degradation for human progress, development and economic activities associated with it's livelihood and survival must now be carried out without endangering or destroying the ecosystem of his own environment
She further urged that the role of Science and technology experts in the formulation of policies at lead positions must be given a place and must not be jeopardized by the perennial religious, socio-cultural and political considerations.
The President of AFMESI, Dr Felicia Mogo in her opening remarks, stated that AFMESI symposium provides platforms for reevaluating the marine environment of Africa both in terms of potential and stressors, adding that AFMESI is trying to recommend best strategies to exploration for this resources for the benefit of mankind and preservation of the environment itself.