Understanding FG’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy

Following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the federal government came up with a policy initiative called the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy (NPMBE).

The policy is structured to serve as a guiding philosophy in the development and growth of the nascent ministry.

Top agenda of the policy is to amongst other things achieve the following;  

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1. Create a world class Marine Transportation System in Nigeria and position it as a hub in the West and Central African Sub-region;
2. Fulfill all obligations expected by International Organizations to which the country is a signatory on Maritime Transportation and Labour Conventions.
3. To make inland waterway the Central Nervous system of maritime trades within Nigeria by increasing navigable channels and creating more river port and jetties connecting all areas around our inland water ways for cargo and passenger transport and transit.
4. Map, Survey and Demarcate National and International Maritime boundaries.
5. Provide Programmes, Projects, Initiative and Intervention for the improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of marine and blue economy sector.
6. Coordinate the establishment of legal, regulatory and institutional framework for marine and blue economy management and development.
7. Formulate and implement Marine and Blue Economy Policies and Development Plans
8. Provide guidance to the Ports Reform programme to ensure its alignment to the Ministry’s mandate and its successful implementation
9. Implement the following activities:
10. Transformation and diversification of the marine and ocean economy through research development and innovation.
11. Leveraging private sector engagement and partnerships to enhance local participation and investment in the marine and blue economy sector

iii. Development of the local capacity in the blue economy

1. Improvement of ocean hazards management and maritime safety administration for greater climate resilience
2. Enforcement of technical cooperation with stakeholders
3. To focus on fishery and aquaculture to become self-sufficient in fishery and fish product and a net exporter of fish and fish products to other countries.
4. To champion responsible seabed mining and unlocking potential revenue while safeguarding the marine environment.