Bayelsa’s Blue Economy Team Storms NIMASA with Shopping List, Proposes Establishment of Fish City

By DAPO OLAWUNI

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.

DAILY TREND reports 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.

Some of her demands and appeals include;

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Concluding Remarks
Reiterate Commitment:

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.

9. 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.