Governor Sheriff, you goofed! Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently announced the creation of a Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure in Delta and immediately appointed a rights activist of Ijaw extraction, Mr Ebikeme Clark, as the pioneer Commissioner. The creation of this unique ministry will certainly find a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Details of the role of this Ministry and what informed its creation are still sketchy as I write this piece. There is no doubt that Governor Sheriff means well for riverine communities in Delta State. As a grassroot politician, most of his policies on assumption of office have been geared towards uplifting the living conditions of Deltans, and truly deserves the commendation of all and sundry.
However, my take on this development is that by naming it “Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure”, Governor Oborevwori has limited the authority and functions of that Agency.
Mr. Governor, sir, if I could read your mind and the inspiration behind the Ministry’s formation, it is imperative to rename it the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. I am sure that it is what you meant. Your intention, as the name suggests, is to refocus your attention to the aquatic economy and opportunities which abound in your State, like most states in the Niger Delta region and other littoral states in Nigeria.
It may interest His Excellency, Gov. Oborevwori that the global maritime and blue economy has a net worth of over $1.5 trillion . This comes with the largely untapped aqua tourism, fishing, oil and gas, hospitality, among others. The creation of such a critical Marine and Blue Economy in Delta State will also open the gateway for collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Bayelsa State has already taken the lead with the establishment of a Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. Dr. Faith Zibs Godwin, the Commissioner appointed by Governor Douye Diri has hit the ground running, engaging with relevant stakeholders on how to harness the vast opportunities to be tapped into. She has invited stakeholders across the length and breadth of Nigeria next week to Bayelsa to brainstorm on evolving a viable legal and policy framework for the new Ministry. This is the part I want Gov. Oborevwori to follow.
The name narrows its functions to just superintending the provision of infrastructure peculiar to the riverine environment. Rather, the goal should be to build an economy peculiar to the area while still carrying out provision of requisite infrastructure. If created, the Delta State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should be empowered to spearhead the clean up of our polluted water ways, oxygenification of our waters by partnering with donor agencies.
This Ministry should also lead the drive for capacity building by perhaps converting the Burutu College of Maritime Studies into a training hub. The global maritime industry currently has a short supply of seafarers, marine welders and divers. All these could only be achieved if Governor Oborevwori takes the right step by designating the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.