By Dianabasi Effiong
The Delta State Government on Tuesday inaugurated the Blue Economy Steering Committee and Technical Committee as part of deliberate efforts to drive the economic potentials of the sector for the socio-economic development of the state.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, while inaugurating the Steering Committees at Asaba, tasked the Committees with the responsibility of providing a framework for the State’s Blue Economy.
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The Steering Committee is made up of the Ministries of Environment, Transport, Agriculture, Riverine Infrastructure, Housing, Energy, Trade and Investment, Culture and Tourism, and the Delta State Revenue Service, as well as the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA).
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The Technical Committee included key Directors of the selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
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Onyeme, who is the Chairman of the Delta State Blue Economy Framework, said that the selected MDAs were key in the implementation of the policy framework for the state’s blue economy.
The deputy governor noted that the sector was strategic in the state’s economic drive and development.
The Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr Barry Pere-Gbe, on the occasion, said the Blue Economy refers to all economic activities related to Oceans, Seas, Coastal areas, and waterways.
According to him, the activities include the production and distribution of goods and services involving the exchange of minerals and resources.
DPere-Gbe said that the policy framework was to domesticate what was obtainable at the federal level, noting that in the South-South region, only Bayelsa had a Ministry of Blue Economy.
He said the Blue Economy Framework committee was under the Deputy Governor’s office.
Some of the Commissioners and representatives of various agencies gave briefs on their policy direction and framework for the Blue Economy for their respective ministries and agencies.
