UK, US Assure Nigeria Of Support As Oyetola Doubles Efforts To Unlock Blue Economy Potential

The British government  and the United States government have  expressed their willingness and readiness to  support efforts by  the Nigerian Government to develop the newly created Marine and Blue Economy ministry and make it support the country’s economic growth. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  noted that the representatives of the two countries made this known on Tuesday, during their separate meetings with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola  in Abuja.

The US delegation was led by Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, who is  the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, while that of the United Kingdom was led by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Lapenn, who noted that the minister was the first person she would be visiting after the ministerial meeting for Atlantic Cooperation that was convened by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA in New York, said the US government is willing to offer technical support to the ministry with a view to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through the sector.

She added that the two countries would also be exploring technology to solve some of the challenges in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

Also speaking, the British High Commissioner, Dr.  Richard Montgomery, expressed the UK   government’s desire to partner with the Nigerian Government to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in Nigeria while applauding the decision of the minister to embark on a PPP arrangement with regard to investment in the sector.

He noted that the British Government is willing and ready to share information and precautionary lessons with Nigeria with a view to partnering with it to protect its marine resources.

The minister while separately thanking the teams for the visits noted that Nigeria through the new ministry would be willing to develop coastal tourism and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He  also expressed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Atlantic Cooperation initiative declarations.

‘We are committed to rehabilitating our ports for efficiency. I am particularly excited about the desire to partner with us to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in our waters.

We believe that marine fishing will support our economic growth and create job opportunities, especially for our youths. We will equally be leveraging the UK’s  Blue Planet Fund, aimed at supporting developing countries like us to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty, especially now that there is a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in place in Nigeria’ Oyetola added-Team@orientactualmags.com
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