... Meets Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to Unlock Sector's Potential
By: Queendaline Beshel
In a strategic move to revitalize Cross River State's marine economy, Governor Bassey Edet Otu has visited the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adeboyega Oyetola, to foster cooperation and explore productive partnership between the State and the Federal Government.
While interacting with the Minister in his Office in Abuja, Wednesday, Governor Otu lamented the underutilization of the marine sector in Calabar, with only 25% of its potential being tapped and appealed to the Minister to channel economic activities to the area.
He expressed concern about the inability of fishing trawlers to berth in the port due to poor infrastructure, resulting in loss revenue for the State and stressed the need to address the infrastructural gap to unlock the sector's full potential.
In his response, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy , Adeboyega Oyetola lauded President Tinibu's vision for economic diversification as well as commended Governor Otu's initiative to explore the opportunities in the marine and blue economy sector.
He noted that Cross River's natural depth of 21/22 meters reduces the need for capital dredging, making it an attractive location for investment and promised to collaborate with the State to energize the port.
This historic visit marks the beginning of a new era for cooperation between Cross River State and the Federal Government for the harnessing of the State's marine resources for economic growth and prosperity.
Governor Otu was accompanied on the visit by Reverend Victor Edet, Senior Special Adviser on International Cooperation and Investment; Dr. Francis Ntamu, Director General of Cross River Bureau for Public Private Partnership; and Mrs. Sarah Archibong, Special Adviser, Cross River State Liaison Office Abuja.
