By Paschal Emeka
Abuja
The Convener of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable, ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has called on all littoral state governors in Nigeria to invest strategically and manage the country’s marine and aquatic resources in line with the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, PFRS.
Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the weekend, Dr. Kiyaramo said sustainable management of oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems is critical to secure the well-being of present and future generations. He said it would also show commitment to building a sustainable blue economy across coastal states.
“The PFRS provides a clear roadmap for us to transform fisheries and aquaculture into engines of food security, jobs, and climate resilience,” Dr. Kiyaramo stated. He noted that South-South governors have a unique opportunity to leverage coastal resources to secure prosperity while advancing Nigeria’s commitments under CAADP and the National Blue Economy agenda.
He urged state governments to prioritise support for artisanal fishers, women, and coastal communities. He also said blue economy investments should be integrated into state development plans to ensure funding and policy attention.
Dr. Kiyaramo, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Government, commended Governor Douye Diri for his pacesetter role in advancing the blue economy in Nigeria. He called on other littoral governors to emulate Bayelsa’s example.
*Policy Context: PFRS and CAADP Alignment*
Adopted by the African Union in 2014, the PFRS positions fisheries and aquaculture as a core pillar of agriculture under CAADP and the Malabo Declaration. Its goals include ending overfishing and IUU fishing through science-based management, making fish central to ending hunger, formalizing artisanal fishers with focus on women and youth, boosting intra-African fish trade under AfCFTA, and helping coastal communities adapt to climate change and ocean degradation.
*Why the South-South Must Lead*
The South-South region holds over 60 percent of Nigeria’s coastline, major estuaries, mangroves, and inland waters. Dr. Kiyaramo said aligning with PFRS and CAADP will allow governors to integrate fisheries into state agriculture budgets with a 10 percent allocation target, and attract investment in aquaculture, processing, cold chain, and marine tourism.
He added that states should formalize fishing communities, reduce post-harvest losses, tackle IUU fishing, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, especially for women in coastal areas. “Dr. Kiyaramo’s call is simple: treat the ocean like farmland. Manage it, invest in it, and protect the people who depend on it, just as PFRS and CAADP recommend,” ABER stated.
