Former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mehdi Jomaa, is expected in Nigeria in the coming days to participate in the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit scheduled to hold in Akwa Ibom State from February 9 to 11.

The organisers of the summit confirmed this in a statement issued by the summit’s organising committee.

Co-convener of the summit, Dr Uche Igwe, said Jomaa, who will serve as the keynote speaker at the event, is keen to share Tunisia’s experience in transforming coastal and marine resources into economic opportunities.

According to him, the former Tunisian leader is expected to draw from his country’s location along the Mediterranean coastline in explaining how blue economy potentials can be converted into sustainable growth.

Dr Igwe said the summit is aimed at bringing together key stakeholders to chart a new course for development in the Niger Delta.

“It is the gathering of stakeholders to chart a new course of sustainable prosperity in the Niger Delta by utilising our enormous blue economy opportunities.

“The summit will go beyond a dialogue to bring up context specific solutions that will ensure critical players like our coastal communities are carried along,” he said.

He added that the summit would work closely with relevant government agencies and institutions to develop a coordination framework through a Niger Delta Blue Economy Masterplan and to leverage available blue financing opportunities.

According to him, the organisers are targeting long-term impact through a structured development plan.

“We are looking at a ten year plan in the first instance. We will create at least 100,000 direct and indirect jobs per annum through multiple sectors.

“We will leverage ongoing blue financing possibilities by matching the best ideas with resources to implement.

“We will work with regional organisations like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), South-South Development Commission (SSDC), all state governments and organised private sector platforms,” Igwe said.

He disclosed that governors from all Niger Delta states, as well as chief executives of government institutions in the region, are expected to attend the summit.

Also speaking, a member of the organising committee, Emmanuel Ukpong, commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for what he described as bold initiatives in the blue economy sector, particularly the Ibom Deep Seaport project in Ibaka.

Ukpong said such projects would create jobs and economic opportunities for residents of the state.

He added that hosting the summit in Akwa Ibom would help showcase the state’s investment climate to the international community.

“The summit happening in the state will serve as a platform to showcase to the world the investment-friendly environment created by the governor in the state,” he said.

Ukpong further disclosed that senior blue economy experts from the United Kingdom and South Africa have also confirmed their participation in the summit.

Vanguard News