Blue Economy: Stakeholders Fear Degradation of Communities, Exploitation of Water Resources, Loss of Livelihood

 

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot

As conversations on the need to embrace the Blue Economy deepens, concerned stakeholders have expressed palpable fears on what would become of communities who have their sources of livelihood from the water.

This is in view of the fact that communities whose lands were explored for crude oil are still bleeding from the long-term effect of  exploration activities carried out for decades, without adequate compensation and livelihood replacement plan.

So, questions like: "what would happen to Niger Deltans if their land and water become unusable together?" "If the questions raised in the old economy are being swept under the carpet, who will address those of the new economy when they arise?" "What happens to resource allocation, clean-up and general effect on human and aqua health?" etc were raised at the 2-day Blue Economy Investment Summit on Monday and Tuesday, February 9th and 10th of 2026.

Held at 4-Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, the Summit was aimed at harnessing Blue Economy potentials for sustainable development in the Niger Delta. 

While a good number of resource persons supported the migration to Blue Economy, a fraction of participants had trust issues on it against the government and multinationals. Those on this table were Ken Henshaw of 'We the People', Rev. Nnimmo Bassey of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Celestine Akpovore and Barr. Iniro Wills; who faulted the belief that oil spill is caused by local communities. 

According to Mr. Henshaw, Oil Spill is often caused by infrastructural failure whereby pipelines are left for decades, to rust and corrode. But when these pipelines burst, the blame is put on host communities; and government and companies responsible for it play the blame game and refuse to do the needful.

For this, the panelists lamented Nigeria's slow pace access to justice, naming it as one of the reasons for their cold feet on the subject matter. They also opposed the idea of Ocean bed mining, saying it would amount to pollution of the water, distortion of its habitats and the exploitation of its resources, as it were on land.

However, for people like the former Prime Minister of Tunisia, H.E Mehdi Jomaa, the discussion on migrating to the Blue Economy should be built on vision. He said Nigeria needed direction on how to successfully navigate through the process of migration so that it yields nothing but sustainable positive impacts on her people.

"Without direction, even if you have the best of ideas, you're headed for no where. So, it begins with having a vision without which there's no going forward", he said, and charged that the Summit should serve as a locomotive start where ideas are steered for onward action.

In their separate remarks, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst Umo Eno and his River State counterpart, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara described the converge as important, not only to the self-actualization of Niger Deltans, but a reawakening to the urgent need to move away from the detrimental oil and gas sector. 

Represented by the State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN) as well as the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Prof. Peter Medee, respectively; they called for an embrace of the Blue Economy, saying it has positive implications for socioeconomic diversification of individual States and regional economy, with relevance to income generation, job creation, transportation, food security, and would promote wildlife conservation as well as preserve the ecosystem.

As such, they said the Summit would be laced with strategic engagements in the interests of Niger Deltans that will lead to a thorough road map which will in turn address regional challenges and prospects for the future.

Key issues discussed extensively at the Summit were: Unlocking Blue Economy Potentials for shared Prosperity in the Niger Delta; Maritime Governance and Regulatory Challenges in the Niger Delta; Harnessing the Blue Economy for Food Security through Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture; Tackling Environmental Challenges and Marine Pollution: Remedial Actions and Opportunities; Blue Crimes: Infrastructure Challenges for Safe Marine Transportation, tackling Transnational Organized Crime in the Gulf of Guinea.

Resource persons and panelists included: Jonathan Turner of NLA International, Bode Makanjuola MD/CEO of Caverton Offshore Group; Rear Admiral Sunday Daniel Atakpa, MD/CEO Target One Group, Mr. Kennedy Odoeme; Dakuku Peterson,former DG NIMASA; Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, Founder Maritime and Oceans Academy; Mrs Ify Akerele Maritime Trade Group NACCIMA and Vice President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

The event featured the launch of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Roadmap as well as launch of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Development Fund.