The Senate has called on African coastal states to harness their marine resources to create employment opportunities, strengthen food security and drive sustainable economic growth through investments in the blue economy.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, made the call during a meeting with a delegation of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable, led by its Founder and Convener, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District, pledged to champion the development of the blue economy through legislative interventions and engagements with relevant Senate committees.
He identified sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, coastal tourism and mangrove conservation as critical sectors that African countries with coastal territories should prioritise.
The senator noted that Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline offered enormous economic opportunities, particularly for coastal communities in the Niger Delta.
He said proper planning and investment could transform the region’s beaches into attractive destinations for beachfront hotels, recreational facilities and other marine tourism investments.
Imasuen also commended Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing the initiative as a model other coastal states should emulate.
He urged governments of littoral states to develop appropriate policies and institutional frameworks to ensure the sustainable exploitation of their marine resources.
The lawmaker further expressed the National Assembly’s readiness to consider legislative measures that would protect artisanal fishers and ensure that coastal communities benefit from marine resources.
He specifically called for the enforcement of the five-nautical-mile Artisanal Exclusive Zone to protect small-scale fishermen from unfair competition and safeguard their livelihoods.
He also advocated improved access to cold-chain infrastructure for women involved in fish processing to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen their participation in the marine economy.
Earlier, Kiyaramo described the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable 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 raised concerns over what he described as the Blue Justice Gap in the Gulf of Guinea, citing inadequate safety equipment among artisanal fishers and the growing threat of illegal fishing.
According to him, more than 70 per cent of artisanal fishers reportedly venture into the sea without adequate safety equipment, while West Africa loses an estimated $2.3bn annually to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Kiyaramo also disclosed that more than 90 per cent of fisherfolk reportedly lack access to legal assistance or appropriate channels to report violations.
He called for stronger regional cooperation, improved maritime governance and policies that would guarantee coastal communities equitable benefits from marine resources.
The ABER founder said the organisation maintained offices in New Jersey and California in the United States, as well as a liaison bureau in Abuja.
Also speaking, the organisation’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Women’s Forum, Dr Ezeadili Appolonia Obiageri, and Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, commended Imasuen for his willingness to support the development of the blue economy.
They expressed optimism that stronger collaboration with the National Assembly would advance marine development, protect coastal communities and promote sustainable economic opportunities across Africa.
