By Solomon OKPO
The Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has called on Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to strengthen his administration’s commitment to the marine and blue economy by establishing a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The association said the proposed ministry would provide the institutional framework needed to coordinate policies, attract investments and drive sustainable development of the state’s vast maritime resources.
The call followed Governor Eno’s reaffirmation that the marine and blue economy remains a strategic pillar of the ARISE Agenda and a key vehicle for economic diversification and wealth creation during the 2026 Second Quarter Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy held in Lagos.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of EMR, Akwa Ibom State Branch, Harrison Ndifreke, and the Secretary, Comrade Marbel Ekanem, the association said the Governor’s remarks underscored the central role of the blue economy in the administration’s development agenda.
According to the group, if the sector is truly strategic to the ARISE Agenda, the next logical step is the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to coordinate maritime policies, strengthen institutional capacity, facilitate investment and ensure the effective implementation of development programmes across the state.
EMR noted that Akwa Ibom is richly endowed with maritime assets, including about 129 kilometres of Atlantic coastline, abundant aquatic resources and strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, placing it among Nigeria’s most naturally advantaged coastal states.
The association commended Governor Eno for key investments in the sector, including the ongoing Oron Beach development project, the procurement of passenger ferries for the Oron-Calabar waterway, support for maritime security through the donation of patrol gunboats and renewed efforts to actualise the Ibom Deep Seaport.
While describing these initiatives as laudable, EMR maintained that they require a dedicated ministry to provide strategic policy direction, coordinate stakeholders, unlock investment opportunities and ensure long-term sustainability.
The association argued that creating the ministry would position Akwa Ibom among leading coastal states taking advantage of Nigeria’s expanding blue economy and the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the maritime sector.
It further stated that a dedicated ministry would stimulate employment, promote coastal tourism, fisheries, marine transportation, shipbuilding, logistics and environmental sustainability, while expanding the state’s internally generated revenue through the development of blue economy value chains.
EMR expressed confidence that the proposed ministry would complement the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and align Akwa Ibom with the national policy aimed at unlocking the country’s vast maritime economic potential.
The association urged Governor Umo Eno to seize the opportunity to institutionalise the blue economy by establishing the ministry, stressing that the time had come for Akwa Ibom State to move beyond policy pronouncements to concrete institutional action.
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