Oyetola reaffirms commitment to National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy at stakeholders forum in Lagos
Oyetola Reaffirms Commitment to National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy at stakeholders forum in Lagos
By Babatunde Aremu
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking at the Citizen/Stakeholders Forum on Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola emphasized the policy’s potential to transform Nigeria’s vast marine resources into drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
The policy aims to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth by leveraging its marine resources to generate clean energy, create thousands of jobs, and drive local innovation. It prioritizes environmental protection and sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14.
Oyetola highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize port infrastructure, implement the National Single Window platform, and improve port efficiency. He also emphasized the importance of enhanced maritime security, progress in aquaculture and fisheries, and the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
The minister stressed the need for effective leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and measurable performance outcomes in implementing the policy. He expects the policy to enhance the marine and blue economy sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, expand job creation, increase port throughput, and improve regulatory compliance and revenue mobilization.
By implementing this policy, Nigeria aims to position itself as a premier maritime nation, utilizing its blue economy potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
