By Dianabasi Effiong
Maritime development experts and stakeholders have called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a Ministry of Blue Economy as a strategic step towards unlocking the vast economic potential of the state’s maritime resources and accelerating sustainable development.
The call was contained in a policy advocacy paper, “Proposed Akwa Ibom State Blue Economy Ministry: Maritime Transport and Shipping. A New Frontier for Akwa Ibom’s Economic Prosperity,” authored by Dr. Saviour Ekpe and veteran journalist, Solomon Okpo.
The authors commended Gov. Umo Eno for his commitment to the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom through the implementation of the ARISE Agenda, adding that his administration had continually impacted positively on citizens through empowerment programmes, infrastructure development, support for entrepreneurs and farmers, educational interventions, healthcare improvements, and rural development initiatives.
They stated that in spite of the gains so far recorded, Akwa Ibom must now focus on diversifying its economy by harnessing the enormous opportunities within its maritime and aquatic resources through the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Blue Economy.
According to them, Akwa Ibom possesses more than 129 kilometres of Atlantic coastline and occupies a strategic position within the Gulf of Guinea, giving the state a competitive advantage in maritime trade, shipping, logistics, fisheries, tourism, and marine-related investments.
The paper highlighted maritime transport and shipping as one of the key sectors that could benefit significantly from the proposed ministry.
The authors noted that maritime transportation accounted for more than 80 per cent of global trade, adding that Akwa Ibom had been well-positioned to emerge as a major logistics and shipping hub in Nigeria’s South-South region.
They stated that a Ministry of Blue Economy would help formulate policies that encourage private sector participation in maritime logistics, promote the establishment of logistics parks and warehousing facilities, and facilitate efficient cargo movement systems capable of attracting investors and generating substantial revenue.
They also pointed to the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport as a game-changing project capable of transforming the state’s economy through increased local and international shipping activities.
According to the paper, a dedicated ministry will provide focused attention on ports, harbours, jetties, waterfront development, and marine services while working closely with Federal agencies and private investors to attract investments into port-related infrastructure and ancillary industries.
They also emphasised the importance of developing freight and cargo services, noting that modern cargo handling facilities, container terminals, storage infrastructure, and freight management systems would boost import and export activities, strengthen internally generated revenue, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The authors identified ship brokerage, maritime consultancy, marine insurance, freight forwarding, and logistics services as additional opportunities capable of creating high-value employment and positioning Akwa Ibom as a maritime services hub in West Africa.
The paper also underscored the need to develop inland water transportation across riverine and coastal communities in the state.
It noted that investments in modern jetties, passenger terminals, ferry services, navigational aids, and safety facilities would improve connectivity, reduce pressure on road infrastructure, lower transportation costs, and promote tourism and commerce.
The authors maintained that the establishment of a Ministry of Blue Economy should be viewed not merely as an administrative expansion but as a strategic economic necessity capable of unlocking the state’s vast maritime potential.
They urged Gov. Eno’s administration to embrace the blue economy as a major pillar of future economic transformation, stressing that a dedicated ministry would attract investments, stimulate industrialisation, create employment opportunities, increase government revenue, and drive long-term prosperity for the people of the state.