By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in conjunction with the state government has organised a one day workshop on how to harness and benefit from the great potentials hidden in the deep sea and ocean, as part of its contribution to the development of government’s policy on the Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking at the workshop held on Monday in Port Harcourt, the acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Wuraola Adepoju emphasised that the Ocean holds vast opportunities for developing countries to build more innovative and resilient economies.
The stressed that the world’s Ocean Economy is estimated to be between $3-6trillion, noting that it speaks volume on how human activities and multiple global crises have significantly affected different sectors, including fishing, Seafood, Shipping and Coastal tourism among others.
Stating that the Ocean Economy (Blue Economy) offers many opportunities, the NIS Boss added that stakeholders must strike the right balance between benefitting from the
Ocean and protecting its resources.
She however lamented that climate change, environmental pollution and criminalities on the waterways are threats the opportunities and the livelihoods of about three billion people who rely on the ocean for food and income.
Speaking further, Adepoju posited that Global ‘Blue Deal’’ could drive more investment into emerging sustainable sectors that
could benefit developing countries.
Citing the Seaweed farming as an example among others, she hinted that the Global market for Seaweed has more
than tripled in two decades according to reports, increasing from $4.5 billion in 2000 to $16.5 billion in 2020.
” Seaweed does not need fresh water or fertilizer to grow, it can be farmed in many
developing countries for food, cosmetics and biofuels. It provides an alternative to plastic. 11million tones of which is said to flow into the ocean each year.
” Seaweed abounds as natural endowment and gift of mother nature. It is a source of many useful and sustainable materials
that can be used to make eco-friendly versions of straws, food wrappings and other plastic products we use daily. Most materials that many coastal countries have in abundance like Bamboo, Coconuts husks, Banana Plants and other agricultural by-products,that are useful resources to the local communities
who have a wealth of traditional and cultural knowledge in using these materials.
” Universities, governments and businesses can improved funding for the Research and Development of emerging sustainable
sectors in the Blue Economy”, she explained.
The NIS Comptroller General hinted that In 2020, an estimated value of 1.3trillion dollars was put on Global export of ocean based good which include sea food, port equipment and services, including shipping and coastal tourism.
Exports category of Ocean-based goods and Services in 2020, goods included High Technology and Infrastructures, ships and
Port equipment, Marine fisheries and Aquaculture, Seafood processing and Sea Minerals.
While presenting a paper at the occasion, one of the resource persons pointed out that the Blue Economy has overwhelming relevance in national development, saying it covers a wide spectrum of maritime resources and activities ranging from Shipping, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Offshore Power, Fishery to support services.
According to him, there are indeed great potentials in the effective and efficient management of the multi-Billion Dollar Blue Economy and the sustainable exploitation of the sector can result in quick wins such as massive wealth and job creation, tourism and regular migration, infrastructural development, improved food security and green energy with their concomitant effect on the national economy.
He submitted that the Blue Economy has a bright future so long as all State and non-State actors as well as other stakeholders sustain the tempo of unwavering commitment to best practices in technological innovation, renewable energy, circular economy principles, sustainable tourism and provision of a wide spectrum of incentives to encourage massive investment with the attendant multiplier benefits.
According to him, continued strategic partnerships by the Rivers State Government as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria with both local and international stakeholders will go a long way to revamping the Blue Economy sector.
In his remarks, the Comptroller of Immigration Service Rivers State Command James Sunday,PCC said the organisers will come up with a white paper to help both the Rivers State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to harness and benefit from the great potential hidden in the deep sea and Oceans as a contribution to the development of government policy on the Marine and Blue Economy in Nigeria with the support of all relevant agencies,among the states in Nigeria.
He said the Rivers State Government is taking the lead in Partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service in this direction.
Eminent personalities present at the workshop include His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara,GSSRS Executive Governor of River State, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo ,the Former Comptroller General of Immigration Service Dr David Shikfu Paraddang,mni,OFR who was also a resource person,Dr Emi Membere- Otaji Chairman of Elshcon Group and 2nd National Deputy President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce,Industry,Mines and Agriculture,Shippers Council represented by Mr Glory Onojedo, a resource person also,Mr Michael Adamu of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA),and Mr Yusuf Barde Zonal Coordinator NIMASA South-South all resource persons.
They also include captains of Industries like Chief Nabil Saleh of M.Saleh Group,Mr Charles Solomon of Hotel Presidential ,Mr Olusoji Apampa, CEO of The Convention on Business Integrity Representing Maritime Anti-Corruption Network and more than Fifty Marine Services and Shippers agencies,Oil and Gas industries operating within Rivers and those with Head Offices in Lagos.
