An estimated 13 million barrels of crude have been lost to spills since oil was struck in the country in 1958.
President Garden City Premier Business School, Prof. Silva Opuala-Charles disclosed this on Monday, at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Correspondents Week of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Rivers State Council.
Prof. Opuala-Charles, speaking on the theme: “Blue economy: Starting steps for Rivers State,” noted that while Nigeria is clamouring for economic diversification through the blue economy, the ecosystem is continually being polluted by pervasive oil spills and gas flaring.
He stressed that for Nigeria to benefit maximally from the $24 trillion wealth embedded in the blue economy, it must take steps to pursue zero flaring by adopting carbon capture and eradication of oil spills.
He contended that what obtains at the moment in the country is a “red economy,” characterised by pervasive flaring and pollution, pointing out that groundworks for a blue economy were yet to be in place.
Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Amaechi Okonkwo, stressed that infrastructure development, effective governance, and sustainable practices as well as stakeholder engagement are crucial to unlocking the blue economy potentials of Rivers State.
Okonkwo said: “Rivers State being just as rich in ocean resources as in oil and gas, we reasoned, should also position herself as a premium maritime state by deploying the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation.
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“The state possesses significant blue economy potentials, particularly in fisheries, tourism and maritime transport, contributing about 35 percent to the state’s Gross Domestic Product.
“To unlock this potentials, infrastructure development, effective governance, sustainable practices and stakeholder engagement are crucial.
“We believe that to be able to do this, there are some necessary steps the state needs to take to align with the vision and goals of the federal administration for creating the Ministry of Blue Economy at this time, hence the choice of the theme for this year’s Correspondents’ Week.”
President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, said the chamber has enjoyed a lot of goodwill from journalists in Rivers State.
Nwoga said: “We are happy and proud of the solid and harmonious relationship we have with the media and journalists. The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce has enjoyed a lot of goodwill from journalists.
“Journalists, generally are multi-functioned, holding public officers accountable, ensuring transparency, shaping the voice of the populace and ensuring that important issues and brought up for discourse. Journalists also provide a platform and for women to be heard.
“We rely on the media to get balanced account of what is happening. We also know of your unbiased assessment of issues.
“We expect journalists to be fairest and conveyors of truth and justice. We are not unaware of the challenges you face in trying to do your job.”
She stated that the chamber shares some tenets with the media and has been ensuring transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to best global practices.
“We as a chamber share some tenets with you. We ensure transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to best global practices.
“The mission of the chamber is to remain a voice for the business community and to support businesses and startups through business support and member-to-member patronage,” she added.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, Comrade Paul Bazia, lauded the Correspondents’ Chapel for delving into the issue of blue economy, which is part of the development communication plan of the new leadership of the union
Bazia said: “Few months ago, when we were searching for new leadership for the NUJ, we did promise that in the next three years, the union will be setting agenda for development communication.
“The Correspondents’ Chapel has come up with what partly describes what we are looking towards to. We are setting agenda for economic diversification.”
