BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Government, yesterday, inaugurated the State Blue Economy Steering Committee and Technical Committee as part of deliberate efforts to drive the economic potentials of the sector for socio-economic development of the state.
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme while inaugurating the Steering Committee and the Technical Working Committee of the Delta State Blue Economy Framework, at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Hall Asaba, noted that the committee was charged with the responsibility to come up with a framework for the State’s Blue Economy as directed by the governor.
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), while the Technical Committee includes key Directors of the selected Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
The Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, who is the Chairman of Delta State Blue Economy Framework, noted that the selected MDA’s 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 economic drive and development.
In his brief, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr Barry Pere-Gbe said the Blue Economy refers to all economic activities related to Oceans, Seas, Coast and area Waterways systems.
According to him, the activities include the production and distribution of the consumption of goods and services involving the exchange of mineral and resources.
Dr. Barry Pere- Gbe said 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 brief on their policy direction and framework for the Blue Economy for their respective ministries and agencies.
