Stakeholders in the energy and maritime sectors have called on the Rivers State Government to establish a Ministry of Blue Economy to accelerate environmental clean-up efforts and harness economic opportunities in the sector.
The call was made during the World Oceans Day 2026 celebration organised by the Rivers State Council of the Energy and Maritime Reporters Association in Port Harcourt.
Energy expert Dr. Suka Monta expressed concern that Rivers State had yet to fully explore opportunities in the Blue Economy and urged the government to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the sector.
In his keynote address, the Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, renewed his call for the total clean-up of the Niger Delta. He also advocated the establishment of modular refineries, saying they would help curb pipeline vandalism and illegal refining.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Rivers State, Paul Bazia, pledged continued support for energy and maritime reporting.
Stakeholders at the event also raised concerns over the growing threat of micro and nano plastics in marine ecosystems and called for increased training of journalists on climate and environmental reporting.
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