Imasuen Urges Littoral States to Embrace Blue Economy, Hails Diri’s Bayelsa Model
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA – Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has urged littoral states across Africa to prioritise the development of their marine resources, citing Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s establishment of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a model worthy of emulation.
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 courtesy visit at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja.
The senator commended Diri for his commitment to the blue economy, describing Bayelsa’s initiative as a demonstration of political will towards unlocking the economic opportunities in the state’s marine and coastal resources.
He urged other littoral states to adopt similar institutional frameworks and develop their marine assets to create jobs, strengthen food security and promote sustainable economic growth.
Imasuen observed that the Niger Delta’s pristine beaches could become major tourism destinations through deliberate planning and investments in luxury beachfront hotels, coastal resorts and other marine tourism facilities.
He also pledged to champion blue economy advocacy at the Senate by facilitating engagements between ABER and relevant legislative committees, including those on Marine Transport, Local Content, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the Niger Delta Development Commission, Science and Technology, and Environment.
The lawmaker further accepted to serve as a Patron of ABER.
He noted that Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline, including Edo State’s access to the Atlantic Ocean through its riverine corridor, presented enormous opportunities for economic development that remained largely untapped.
According to him, littoral states must move beyond dependence on oil and invest deliberately in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, blue tourism and mangrove blue carbon.
The senator also expressed support for legislative frameworks to protect artisanal fishers, enforce the five-nautical-mile Artisanal Exclusive Zone and ensure women fish processors have access to and ownership of cold-chain infrastructure.
Earlier, Kiyaramo introduced 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, United States, as well as a Liaison Bureau in Abuja.
He drew attention to what he described as the Blue Justice Gap in the Gulf of Guinea, stating that more than 70 per cent of artisanal fishers venture into the sea without adequate safety equipment.
Kiyaramo 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 aid or appropriate reporting channels.
He advocated stronger regional cooperation, policy interventions and inclusive governance to ensure that coastal communities benefit from the continent’s blue economy resources.
Also speaking, the Director of Policy and Advocacy of ABER Women’s Forum, Dr. Mrs. Ezeadili Appolonia Obiageri, and the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, commended Imasuen for his contributions and performance in the National Assembly.
