The Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) has urged the new Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni, to push for autonomy of coastal maritime state.
62-year old Sanni is the senator representing Lagos Central.
The President of OAF, Mrs Violet Williams, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Williams, who is a blue economy professional and former member of the Board of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, also congratulated Sanni on his emergence as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
According to her, stakeholders are expecting a positive turnaround in the maritime industry, especially in line with the blue economy.
“This is because we are looking at 2030 actualisation of the establishment of blue economy in all maritime nation.
“Ghana is doing well on it, even Togo and so we expect that he as the new man with a background in agric, he should be able to push for the blue economy and autonomy of coastal maritime state.
“Looking at the 13 per cent oil derivation for the oil producing state, they are getting it and enjoying it.
“So, let the maritime state, the coastal communities enjoy the benefits of the coastal economy which is the blue economy,” she said.
She noted that it was a delight to have Sanni as the maritime game changer for all the coastal communities in Nigeria to be strategically positioned.
