The Delta State Government has officially inaugurated a Blue Economy Steering Committee and a Technical Committee as part of efforts to tap into the enormous economic potential of its coastal and riverine resources to drive sustainable growth.
At the inauguration ceremony held in Asaba on Tuesday, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., tasked members of the committees with developing a practical and results-driven framework that will position Delta as a key player in Nigeria’s growing blue economy space.
Onyeme, who also chairs the state’s Blue Economy Framework, said the selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were carefully chosen because of their crucial roles in ensuring the policy’s success. He noted that the blue economy is central to the state’s long-term economic development strategy.
The Steering Committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Transport, Agriculture, Riverine Infrastructure, Housing, Energy, Trade and Investment, and Culture and Tourism. It also features members from the Delta State Internal Revenue Service and the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA).
Meanwhile, the Technical Committee is made up of directors from the participating MDAs. Their role is to provide technical guidance, ensure coordination, and drive the practical implementation of the framework.
Describing the blue economy as a vital pillar for development, Onyeme stressed the importance of collaboration among the committees to help the state fully harness opportunities in areas such as marine resources, inland waterways, fisheries, transportation, tourism, and energy.
In his remarks, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Barry Pere-Gbe, explained that the blue economy covers all economic activities connected to oceans, seas, coastal regions, and inland waterways. This includes the production, distribution, and use of goods and services linked to marine and mineral resources, as well as other commercial activities tied to aquatic environments.
He added that Delta’s framework is designed to align with federal government policies on the blue economy. He also pointed out that within the South-South region, Bayelsa State is currently the only state with a dedicated Ministry of Blue Economy.
Dr. Pere-Gbe further disclosed that the Blue Economy Framework Committee operates under the Office of the Deputy Governor to promote inter-ministerial collaboration and ensure smooth policy execution.
During the event, commissioners and representatives of the participating MDAs presented briefs highlighting their ministries’ policy directions and how they plan to contribute to the successful integration of their operations into the state’s Blue Economy agenda.
The inauguration underscores Delta State’s renewed push for economic diversification, increased revenue generation, and sustainable development. The government expressed confidence that a well-structured and coordinated framework will attract investment and stimulate growth across its coastal and riverine communities.
