The British and the United States governments have expressed their readiness to partner the Federal Government to develop the newly created Marine and Blue Economy ministry.
Both governments said the partnership would boost Nigeria’s growth.
The representatives of the countries stated this yesterday in Abuja during their separate meetings with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The U.S. delegation was led by the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, while that of the British was led by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.
Ambassador Lapenn, noting that the minister was the first person she was visiting after the ministerial meeting for Atlantic Cooperation, convened by the U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, said the U.S. government was willing to offer technical support to the ministry to support Nigeria’s economic growth through the sector.
She further said the two countries would also be exploring technology to solve some of the challenges in the marine and blue economy sector.
The British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, expressed the government’s desire to partner the Federal Government to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in Nigeria’s waters.
He applauded the decision of the minister to embark on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in terms of investment in the sector.
Oyetola noted that Nigeria through the new ministry, would be willing to develop coastal tourism and create a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.
He expressed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Atlantic Cooperation initiative declarations.
Oyetola said: “We are committed to rehabilitating our ports for efficiency. I am particularly excited about the desire to partner with us to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in our waters.
“We believe that marine fishing will support our economic growth and create job opportunities, especially for our youths.
“We will equally be leveraging the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, aimed at supporting developing countries like us to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty, especially now that there is a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in place in Nigeria”, Oyetola added.
