Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy rated top four under Tinubu – Oyetola

By Seyi Babalola

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the ministry has been ranked among the top four performing ministries under President Bola Tinubu.

The minister made this known during an interactive session with editors of print media in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday.

Oyetola disclosed that the rating was done by the Central Results Coordinating Delivery Unit (CRCDU) under the leadership of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head, CRCDU, Hadiza Bala Usman.

He said the rating was in recognition of the ministry’s attempts to rejig and reform the marine and blue economy sector, having dwelt deliberately and extensively on the crafting of an enduring policy framework.

The minister reiterated that the ministry has taken deliberate steps to strengthen the regulatory, legal, institutional and policy frameworks for the management and development of the sector.

According to him, this was to lay a solid foundation for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it reflects his determination to unlock the vast potential of the nation’s marine resources.

“We have painstakingly devoted attention to the crafting of a sound policy framework to govern and direct the sector.

“We have ensured that both the process and outcomes are given diligent attention. Our approach has been to guarantee a comprehensive and holistic national policy for the sector,” he said.

Oyetola emphasised that a major strategy in this regard has been the adoption of a multi layered broad-based stakeholders engagements and consultation with eminent sector groups, including the World Bank, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), and WorldFish.

He added, “In partnership with African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Kingdom of Norway, we have concluded the development of Nigeria’s National Blue Economy Strategy document. Also, with the support of IFPRI and WorldFish, we have finalised the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.

“Our National Policy for Marine and Blue Economy has taken a cue from the above. The draft policy is ready for presentation to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

“The policy, as crafted, has taken note of the need to leverage technology and private sector initiatives to boost the sector. It has also been distilled into a Ten-Year Roadmap to guide its implementation.”