By Dianabasi Effiong
The Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has congratulated the Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom for participating in the 2nd Quarter 2026 Citizens/Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos on Thursday.
The governor was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi at the event, themed “From Policy to Action: Mobilising Sub-National Governments for Effective Implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.”
The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for harnessing Nigeria’s vast marine resources for sustainable economic growth.
The association also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing the ministry as a strategic intervention with the capacity to transform Nigeria’s economy and unlock the enormous potential of the nation’s maritime sector.
EMR also appealed to Gov. Eno to take a bold step by establishing a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Akwa Ibom State to drive investments, coordinate policies, and maximise the state’s vast coastal and maritime resources.
The association noted that the recommendations presented during the engagement provide a clear roadmap for states, including the need to institutionalise blue economy governance through dedicated ministries or agencies with adequate political and financial authority, enact state blue economy laws aligned with the National Policy while reflecting local realities, and properly secure and map maritime domains for sustainable development.
EMR further applauded the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen collaboration with sub-national governments in implementing the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
EMR said Akwa Ibom, with its extensive coastline, strategic maritime assets and the Ibom Deep Seaport project, stands to become a leading blue economy hub if the state establishes the appropriate institutional framework to drive the sector.
In a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Mr. Harrison Ndifreke, and the State Secretary, Mrs. Mabel Ekanem, the association congratulated Governor Umo Eno for aligning Akwa Ibom with the Federal Government’s marine and blue economy agenda.
The statement reaffirmed EMR’s commitment to advocating policies and initiatives that will accelerate the growth of the marine and blue economy in Akwa Ibom State, while urging the governor to establish a State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a strategic step towards economic diversification, job creation, investment attraction, and the sustainable development of the state’s vast maritime resources.
