The Bayelsa State Government has restated its ambition to take a leading role in Nigeria’s emerging blue economy, as a World Bank-supported capacity-building programme wrapped up in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
The two-day PROBLUE Upskilling Programme, which opened on Monday, brought together officials and technical experts from Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States to examine policy, planning tools and investment pathways needed to strengthen the country’s coastal and marine systems.
Declaring the engagement open, Governor Douye Diri said Bayelsa’s natural assets and political commitment place it in a prime position to champion responsible ocean governance.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayaowei, he said the state would continue to work with the Federal Government and global partners to protect coastal settlements, expand employment and build a resilient maritime economy.
The Federal Government’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof Busayo Fakinlede, described the forum as a “major step” in ongoing national reforms.
Fakinlede said the partnership with the World Bank aims to close institutional gaps, improve data systems and widen business prospects in fisheries, aquaculture and maritime services.
Hosting the programme, Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, said the state is ready to convert the national blue economy agenda into concrete infrastructure and investments.
She listed plans to expand the fisheries and aquaculture village, develop fish terminals and reinforce coastal resilience as part of measures to lift livelihoods and stimulate enterprise.
World Bank technical leads, Yolanda Molares of ICSEM Spain and Dr Felicia Mogo of AFMESI, steered the technical sessions and pledged ongoing support as coastal states move towards full implementation and policy alignment.
Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Kenneth Gbali, said the event signalled “a new dawn” for coastal states and praised Bayelsa for convening an engagement aligned with the Federal Government’s vision for a productive, sustainable blue economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Edmund Allison-Oguru urged participants to apply their training in ways that deliver visible benefits to coastal people, stressing strategic planning, inclusion and environmental responsibility as the building blocks for long-term growth.
Over the two days, delegates explored the economic, social, environmental and governance pillars underpinning the blue economy and were introduced to modern planning instruments including Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Scenario exercises and coordination sessions were held to strengthen institutions, bolster regional collaboration and attract investment.
At the close of the programme, stakeholders outlined clear action points and joint opportunities for Bayelsa and its partner states.
The Bayelsa State Government thanked the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, participating states, technical partners and community representatives, adding that the lessons learned will inform policies and projects aimed at securing inclusive and sustainable prosperity for coastal communities.
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