By Godwin Oritse

THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has called on the government to initiate plans to harness potentials of the nation’s marine resources to create a blue economy with a view to improving the quality of lives of its citizens.

LCCI President, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande

Speaking at the commencement of the Lagos International Maritime week, the Chamber’s President, Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, said there were numerous untapped marine resources in the nation’s coastal and territorial waters that could be another source of revenue for the government.

Akande, who explained that blue economy is about harnessing the marine resources for the benefit of mankind without undermining the environment, also said the concept had recently become popular among development experts, adding that it is also seen as complementary to the traditional economy.

She said: “We need to adopt some strategies and models in line with international best practices. Firstly, we must do an audit of available legislations, opportunities, challenges, threats and projections as provided by leading development institutions like the World Bank, United Nations, International Institute for Environment and development, IIED, Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, WRAP, World Wildlife Foundation, WWF.”