Blue Economy: Imasuen Challenges Littoral States to Unlock Marine Wealth, Hails Bayelsa Model
Senator Neda Imasuen with Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), led by its Founder and Convener, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo
By Marian Alekhue
ABUJA – Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has urged governments of littoral states across Africa to prioritise the development of their marine resources, describing the blue economy as a major avenue for job creation, food security, tourism and sustainable economic growth.
Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, made the call on Tuesday when a delegation of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), led by its Founder and Convener, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, paid him a visit at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja.
The senator pledged to champion the blue economy agenda in the Senate by facilitating engagements between ABER and relevant legislative committees, including those on Marine Transport, Local Content, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, NDDC, Science and Technology, and Environment.
He also accepted to serve as a Patron of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable.
According to Imasuen, Nigeria and other African countries with coastal territories must begin to look beyond traditional sources of revenue and deliberately invest in the enormous economic opportunities offered by their marine and coastal environments.
He observed that the Niger Delta, with its pristine beaches and extensive coastline, possesses enormous potential for coastal tourism, including luxury beachfront hotels, recreational facilities and other marine-related investments comparable to those found in America and other Western countries.
The senator particularly commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his commitment to the development of the blue economy, noting that Bayelsa was the first state to establish a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He urged other littoral states to emulate the initiative and develop institutional frameworks that would enable them to harness their marine resources for economic advancement.
Imasuen further noted that Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline, alongside Edo State’s access to the Atlantic Ocean through its riverine corridor, presents significant opportunities for employment generation, food security and climate resilience.
He identified sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, coastal tourism and mangrove-based blue carbon initiatives as critical sectors requiring deliberate government investment.
Commending ABER for its Pan-African campaign for a Connected, Competitive and Community-Owned Blue Economy, Imasuen said the National Assembly was open to considering legislative measures that would protect the interests of coastal communities and promote sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
He specifically highlighted the need to protect artisanal fishermen, enforce the five-nautical-mile Artisanal Exclusive Zone and ensure that women involved in fish processing have ownership and access to cold-chain infrastructure.
Earlier, Kiyaramo described ABER as a flagship initiative of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative, with a presence across the five geographical regions of the African Union and the Diaspora.
He disclosed that the organisation maintains offices in New Jersey and California in the United States, as well as a liaison bureau in Abuja, Nigeria.
Kiyaramo raised concerns over what he described as the Blue Justice Gap in the Gulf of Guinea, revealing that more than 70 per cent of artisanal fishermen reportedly venture into the sea without adequate safety equipment.
He also disclosed that West Africa loses an estimated $2.3 billion annually to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, while more than 90 per cent of fisherfolk lack access to legal assistance and effective reporting channels.
Also speaking, ABER’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Women’s Forum, Dr. Mrs. Ezeadili Appolonia Obiageri, and its Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, commended Senator Imasuen for his contributions and engagement in the National Assembly.
They expressed appreciation for his willingness to support the organisation’s efforts to advance marine development, strengthen coastal communities and promote a sustainable blue economy across Africa.
