By Isaiah Eka
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom says his administration is reviving maritime infrastructure in the state to grow the blue economy.
Eno said this at the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit in Ikot Ekpene on Tuesday.
Represented by Mr Uko Udom, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Eno said that the Akwa Ibom Government was embarking on multi-billion naira marine infrastructure projects in the state.
“The projects will enliven maritime transportation, and create commercial activities within the maritime corridor,” he said.
Speaking at the summit with theme: “Harnessing Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development in the Nigerian Delta”, he said that when fully harnessed, the blue economy would create massive employment.
The governor further said that his administration was conscious of the opportunities in the blue economy, saying, “we will pursue the Ibom Deep Seaport project to actualisation”
He said that all the regulations, certifications, and approvals for the project had been met.
“Ibom Deep Seaport is not going to be a white elephant project. Work has gone very far,” he said.
In his keynote address, Mr Mehdi Jomaa, a Former Prime Minister of Tunisia, said that investing in the blue economy sector was critical to the development of Africa as a continent.
He urged African leaders to see the blue economy as a new chapter of investment for sustainable development of the continent.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, described the summit as strategic and timely because the blue economy was pivotal to the nation’s pursuit of economic diversification.
Represented by Rear Adm. Sunday Atakpa, Abass said that sustainable development of the Niger Delta was connected to the effective governance and security of Nigeria’s maritime domain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Azubuike Okeh
