Bayelsa seeks NIMASA’s support to harness marine economy potentials
Stories by Seun Ibiyemi
The Bayelsa Marine and Blue Economy Commissioner, Dr Faith Zibs Godwin has led her team to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) with a shopping list which includes the establishment of a Bayelsa fish city, in order to centralise and enhance fishery activities in the state.
The team was received by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, ably represented by Eng Fatai Adeyemi, Executive Director Operations of NIMASA.
Recall that the Bayelsa State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was recently established by the state Governor, Douye Diri, to harness the vast potential of the state’s marine and coastal resources.
Speaking on economic potentials of her Ministry, Dr Faith said the state aims to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP by leveraging our marine resources for sustainable economic growth.
“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.
“We request NIMASA’s assistance in designing and implementing training programs for our local fishermen to enhance their skills and adopt sustainable fishing practices.
“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.”
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Bayelsa State is committed to working closely with NIMASA to develop a thriving blue economy that benefits our state and the nation.
“Continuous Collaboration: We encourage continuous engagement and collaboration between our ministry and NIMASA to ensure we achieve our shared goals.
“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,” she said.
