Stakeholders in the Liberian blue economy have validated the country’s national blue economy strategy along with its implementation plan, governance framework, and coordination mechanism at the end of a three-day broad-based stakeholders’ final validation workshop in Monrovia from December 16-18, 2024. The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) supported the workshop with funding from the Government of Norway.
At the close of the three-day exercise, the Government of Liberia, through the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye pledged the country’s total commitment to fully implementing the strategy giving the blue economy’s potential for job creation and socioeconomic advancement.
“On this particularly important moment that marks the validation of a national blue economy strategy of Liberia, I want to say, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, is a total commitment to full implementation. Employment opportunities are critical and we cannot afford to delay. You have given the ARREST Agenda the lifeblood that it needs to reach the destiny we all desire,” Minister Paye stated.
He stressed that after validation, it is time for implementation and real work. “We are aware that natural resources beneath the land and our waters are meant to dignify the lives of the people. So, when manage and utilize our resources effectively and efficiently, we will improve lives. For a country that has a youthful population, we cannot delay implementation,” the Mines and Energy Minister stressed while recommending an annual review mechanism to track progress in the implementation to allow stakeholders to know where the country is regarding the targets outlined in the strategy.
Also in remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration and Safety of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Mr. John F. Harvey nudged the stakeholders to avoid the temptation of making the document catch dust on shelves and move quickly to the implementation phase.
Speaking in proxy on behalf of the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr. Huyam Salih, Mr. Obinna Anozie said the stakeholders should pat themselves on the back for the sacrifice and tremendous contribution that culminated in the validation of the national blue economy strategy and other important related documents. “We have satisfactorily achieved the primary objectives of this workshop. First of all, the workshop utilizes broad-based stakeholders’ expertise to enrich and finalize the strategy for Liberia to ensure ownership and effective implementation. Secondly, we have been able to garner a broad-based consensus approach and took a big step towards taping into the blue economy potential of Liberia,” Mr. Anozie said on behalf of the AU-IBAR director. The AU-IBAR official promised his institution’s commitment to continuously supporting the Government of Liberia along this line.
For the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Mr. Zizi Kpadeh, Director of Aquaculture said there could be no better time for the crafting of such an important document than now when natural resources are the bedrock of economic viability. The NaFAA Aquaculture Chief encouraged stakeholders to begin thinking about resource mobilization and interagency coordination.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Maritime, Austin Taylor said the validation of the strategy marks a significant milestone in achieving the goal of having a national document that will guide the blue economy sector. “Given your reach expertise put into this document, I believe Liberia will benefit greatly since it captures every important area of the blue economy. The document provides the opportunity to foster a partnership that would seek to tackle challenges, share best practices, and collaborate on research. Let me assure all of you our stakeholders and international partners that as we go forward to implement, the House of Representatives is committed to providing all necessary support when called upon. The Maritime Committee’s doors are open for further discussion and support,” the House Maritime Committee Chairman Taylor said.
The Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Mines and Energy, Jeremiah Sokan indicated that the discussion and formulation of a national blue economy strategy is critical to the effective management of the environment. “While we welcome the validation of the strategy document, we must be aware that we are not done with the work yet. We need to move a practical step forward by identifying the appropriate legislation that will provide overarching guidance and strength. Our doors remain agile to ensure that this strategy is supported and implemented,” Representative Sokan said.
Representative Anthony F. Williams, House Committee Chairman on Banking and Finance and Focal Person on Fisheries told the gathering that there is little knowledge about the vast opportunities in the blue economy among the general public and in the circle of those in decision-making positions. He said he remains supportive of the strategy and will ensure that the document is taken to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The workshop brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including technical experts from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Ministry of National Defense (MOD), universities, civil society, the private sector, and other key agencies. Participants will validate the draft strategy, which focuses on sustainability, economic growth, inclusivity, innovation, and international cooperation.
