- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (left), and leader of the World Bank team, Lia Sieghart, when the later paid a courtesy to the minister in Abuja…Wednesday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Federal Government has identified fishery as a sector under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy requiring immediate development attention, as the World Bank seeks to partner Nigeria in developing its marine and blue economy industry.
This emerged as the World Bank, during a courtesy visit to the minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed desire to partner the ministry in developing the maritime sector in line with the ministry’s vision.
Leading a World Bank team on the visit, Ms. Lia Sieghart said they were at the ministry to discuss the Nigerian Government’s vision for the development of a sustainable and integrated blue economy and sustainable fisheries, and to also identify areas where the bank could provide expertise and knowledge.
She commended the establishment of the ministry as a strong signal that the government was desirous of developing the sector.
On his part, Oyetola welcomed the visit, and informed the team of the steps already taken to map the country’s marine and blue economy resources, adding that developing fishery and aquaculture remains the ministry’s topmost priority.
“Fishery is the flagship of the ministry,” he stated. “We are doing everything to regulate the activities in that sector. We are designating terminals for fishing activities.
“We want to do a sustainable fishery programme on a sustainable basis and make it attractive to the youths. We intend to reduce importation and encourage production here in Nigeria. Therefore, we are willing and ready to have you support our efforts, so as to realise our vision for the ministry.”