*The Federal Government inaugurates the Expanded Partnership Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy, and says Nigeria is set to further explore and take available economic opportunities, oceanic resources for improved national development

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the newly inaugurated the Expanded Partnership Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy would lead to a substantial boost in the country’s economy through exploitation  of available oceanic resources.

ConsumerConnect reports Vice-President (Prof.) Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy, stated this at its inauguration Monday, January 17, 2022, at the State House, in Abuja, FCT.

Seafoods

The government said the members the Expanded Partnership Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy include state Governors, Ministers, representatives of military and security agencies.

In terms of its core mandate, the Federal Government disclosed the Committee is charged with the responsibility of providing an assessment of the current realities, opportunities and challenges for economic diversification and the growth of a sustainable blue economy in Nigeria, and identifying policies including institutional/capacity-building mechanisms for blue economy development.

Mr. Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media in the Vice-President’s Office, in a statement said that the Blue Economy would further explore the economic opportunities available through oceanic and marine resources around the country.

The Vice-President’s Spokesman stressed the Blue Economy aims at sustainable use of Nigeria’s ocean and maritime resources towards improved economic growth for the country and the citizenry.

According to the government, these include the use of renewable energy, seabed extractive activities and marine biotechnology and bio-prospecting.

Vice-President Osinbajo further stated that the Committee as well has representatives from the states and geo-political zones, agency representation, Chief of Naval Staff, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NIMASA, and government several others.

Ministries including the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Environment are also taking part, said Prof. Osinbajo.

He also stated: “There will be several agencies and several interactions between institutions because we are dealing with ports and terminals, oil and gas, the environment, tourism, hospitality – a whole range of economic activities that are connected to what is described as the blue economy.”