The Acting Amayanabo of Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Council Area, High Chief Nathan Egba-Dienegha has called on Government at all levels to join hands with Development partners to grow the multibillion naira blue economy in the Niger Delta region for the benefit of the people.
Chief Dienagha stated this during a sensitisation programme tagged Empowering Women through Blue Economy with focus on leadership, sustainability and economic inclusion held in Okpoama-Brass, Bayelsa State and organized by African Maritime Environment Susttainability Initiative and Urgent Action Fund Africa.
Chief Dienagha who was represented by the Amayanabo of Isele-ama, His Royal Highness, Boute Levi Felagha said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should undertake the rolling out of policies and programmes that would provide livelihood for women and youths.
Earlier, the Founder and President of the African Maritime Environment Susttainability Initiative, Dr Felicia Mogo who spoke through Zoom said this phase of the initiative was an intervention to strengthen the involvement of women in coastal communities in Blue Economy with initial focus on the Niger Delta.
Dr Mogo expressed delight at level enthusiasm shown by the women and urged them to form co-operatives to advance their involvement in blue economy, adding that she would work with them to improve their livelihood.
In his presentation, the facilitator of the programme, Tarinyo Akono urged the women to promote the sustainability of the marine ecosystem while harnessing the resources of the of the sea.
He said using chemicals, dynamites and dumping of refuse in the rivers does not promote sustainability and called on the leadership of the various communities to provide a refuse dumping sites.
Akono noted that Brass is a major fishing hub that deserves the attention of the Federal and State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, adding that experts should be contacted to fashion out programmes and projects to advance the sector.
In their remarks, the Women Leader of Okpoama Kingdom, Madam Obibinate Ikaye and the Secretary of the CDC, Inko Tariworio thanked the African Maritime Environment Susttainability Initiative for the sensitisation programme.
