The Alfe City Institution, a leading promoter of Nigeria’s blue economy ecosystem, has called for the construction of 10 new ports to sustain the country’s blue economy.
The Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Mr Soji Adeleye, made the call during a three-day ecosystem summit, organised by the group in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Adeleye said that the conference theme, “Sustainable Nigerian Blue Eonomy Ecosystem”, emphasises the need for policies that could bring about change, developing human capacity and influencing a large number of people.
He also said that the efficiency of a port directly affects the economies of the countries it serves, since more than 90 per cent of global trade is carried out by sea.
According to him, ports constitute an important economic activity in coastal areas, in addition to serving as economic drivers and transportation hubs.
“Ports also play an important role in national defence.
“Ports are significant sources of local employment. They are employers and also support employment in related sectors, such as trucking and rail transportation.
“Our policy advocacy is a rare and unique opportunity to use a Nigerian blue economy to build a sustainable foundation for an economy that has none,” he said.
Adeleye further said that maximising the interpretation of Nigeria’s own blue economy was crucial to meeting the exigencies of the moment.
“This informed the bringing of all elements of the blue economy together for this ecosystem conference to drive the policy formulation and legislation.
“We believe a potential construction of 10 new ports, port cities as part of this broad engineering, in effect 10 new leagues, would accelerate coastal development.
“It would also create new centers of economic growth, create avenue for new transportation infrastructure development, provide millions of employment opportunities.
“Nigeria must not only rely on the institutions on ground to sustain its blue economy,” Adeleye said.
Also, the Assistant General Manager, Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Makanjuola Teslim, said that the states that were able to provide good infrastructure for a port to run would help to sustain blue economy ecosystem.
Teslim called for synergy among the existing maritime institutions to reduce some challenges and stress from different maritime sectors clashing with one another on duty roles.
“If all the bodies under maritime collaborate, with every sector knowing their duties, not repeating the same function as others, there won’t be challenge or conflict of roles.
“If the coastal line is properly harnessed, it will bring more revenue to the country.
“With blue economy ecosystem there will be massive job creation and reduction of social vices,” Teslim said.
