Blue economy: Tinubu seeks more international efforts to reduce maritime crime

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated three Nigerian Navy ships and two helicopters at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The President, who urged the Navy ro reduce maritime crimes to the nearest minimum, also charged the military arm to build strategic partnerships that would boost the Africa Blue Economy project.

He spoke through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at series of events organised in Lagos by the Navy to mark its 68th anniversary.

Tinubu said the Navy had since inception, continued to confront contending issues by adopting the most optimal policies and strategies to address the rapidly changing security challenges in the nation.

Delivering a lecture at an International Maritime Conference with the theme: “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” Tinubu said the topic encapsulated the major objective of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 14, the Vision of Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050, and a key target of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

He said, “Significantly, the blue economy is estimated to be worth more than US $1.5 trillion per year globally and projected to increase to US $15.5 trillion by 2050.

“The Africa Blue Economy Strategy estimates that the blue economy currently generates nearly US $300 billion for the continent, creating 49 million jobs in the process.

“The Africa Blue Economy is projected to hit US $405 billion by 2030. It is very appropriate to state categorically that any collaborative initiative by the Nigerian Navy to build partnerships across African navies and Coast Guards is in the right direction.”

The Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, in his remarks, noted the Navy has been a symbol of pride to the country, diligently carrying out its duties of safeguarding her economic interests with unparalleled professionalism.

He expressed optimism that the deliberations during the conference would produce innovative ways to improve professionalism and efficiency, translating to a secure maritime environment for the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria, and all seafarers, to conduct legitimate businesses for economic prosperity and national development.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, described maritime threats as transnational in nature and capable of hampering the potential of the blue economy of nations.

He said ameliorating these threats was beyond the scope and capability of one nation but required international collaborative efforts.