The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard’s Provisionary Committee (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba, has applauded the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) focus on the burgeoning blue economy, saying it signals a bold step towards sustainable national development.
Capt. Ichaba had reiterated that the NDDC and the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, when established would have a symbiotic working relationship in promoting the blue economy, just as the NDDC has demonstrated commitment in supporting security agencies to secure the nation’s waterways with a view to boosting the emerging blue economy.
Capt. Ichaba emphasized that the Nigerian Coast Guard would play a crucial role in enhancing maritime safety and security in the region, including search and rescue operations, environmental protection, and enforcement of maritime laws.
“The collaboration between the NDDC and the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard seeks to strengthen maritime security in combating sea piracy, smuggling, human trafficking and environmental degradation while fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental stewardship, geared towards enhancing coastal livelihoods.
“This proposed partnership with intervention agencies in the Niger Delta region aligns with the national policy on marine and blue economy, aiming to position Nigeria as a leader in the blue economy globally,” Ichaba explained.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, had reaffirmed the NDDC’s commitment to supporting security agencies in the region with a view to boosting Nigeria’s emerging blue economy at the Nigerian Bar Association’s conference recently held in Enugu State.
This agency’s support includes providing operational aids to secure the region’s waterways, a crucial step towards promoting maritime operations, tourism, and infrastructure development.
With Nigeria’s blue economy estimated to be worth $296 billion, this partnership aims to unlock the sector’s vast potential for economic growth and job creation.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Communications of PC-NCG, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Ichaba, assured that while the NDDC is working to unlock the potential of the blue economy in the Niger Delta region, which contributes significantly to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
He said the Nigerian Coast Guard, could play a vital role in supporting the intervention agency’s blue growth initiatives by providing maritime safety and security while enforcing maritime regulations along the region’s vast coastline.
He reiterated that the partnership would ensure a safe and secure environment for maritime trade, tourism, fisheries, logistics investments, and economic growth, pointing out that the NDDC’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aims at driving economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The PC-NCG helmsman noted further that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard will support this agenda by working closely with the NDDC and other intervention agencies to promote peace and security in the Niger Delta region.
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“While the NDDC is focused on empowering youth and creating jobs in the blue economy sector, the Nigerian Coast Guard, could contribute to this effort by providing training in relevant maritime skills to enable the unemployed youth in the area to gain employment and access to several other job opportunities including recruitment into the Nigerian Coast Guard.
“The NDDC should also consider improving port infrastructures in the Niger Delta, which will go a long way to enhancing the blue economy and maritime logistics.
“The Nigerian Coast Guard can support this effort by ensuring the security of such marine infrastructure projects with a view to promoting a stable maritime business environment in the oil-rich region.
“By working together, the NDDC and the Nigerian Coast Guard, when eventually established can unlock the vast potential of the blue economy sector, drive economic growth, and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and the country at large,” the statement said.
