The pioneer Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, Bayelsa State, Dr Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin paid a working visit to Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, at Victoria Island, Lagos, Dr Dayo Mobereola on Monday.

The Commissioner, who led some officials to NIMASA was received by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi as the DG was away on official duty.

Explaining her mission to the Agency, Zibs-Godwin stated that the newly established Marine and Blue Economy Ministry of the State “seeks NIMASA’s expertise in developing a robust regulatory framework for our blue economy initiatives. Your guidance will be crucial in ensuring compliance and sustainability.

She disclosed that the State, “with its extensive coastline and rich marine biodiversity, is positioned to be a leader in Nigeria’s blue economy, and want to leverage our marine resources for sustainable economic growth.”

She emphasized that the new Ministry wishes to partner with NIMASA in developing a robust regulatory framework for our blue economy initiatives.

The pioneer Commissioner outlined other area of interest such as
“NIMASA’s assistance in designing and implementing training programmes for our local fishermen to enhance their skills and adopt sustainable fishing practices”.

She further laid on the NIMASA’s table her Ministry’s programmes as follows:

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.

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.
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.
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.

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.

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.

In his response, elated Adeyemi assured the Commissioner and her team of the willingness of NIMASA to render reasonable assistance in line with the statutory powers of the Agency.