The former Prime Minister of Tunisia Mr. Mehdi Jomaa has advised Nigeria to implement her visions in blue economy as alternative to diversify sources of revenue for the nation.
Speaking during a 3 day Niger Delta Blue Economy Summit held at Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Ikot Ekpene local government area of Akwa Ibom state on the theme “Harnessing Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development in Niger Delta” Jomaa explained that Nigeria has good visions to develop her blue economy potentials but warned that the nation to transform those visions to make it a reality.
Jomaa observed that Nigeria is leading in Africa but must harness all the potentials in blue economy deposited in the Niger Delta region.
He described Nigeria as a locomotive for development of African continent adding it should sustain it through blue economy initiative.
“So I’m happy to be here, honored to be here, and I would like to be a contributor of this initiative.
“It’s not I’m traveling through Africa, but the first time in Nigeria, the first time in the Delta, because I believe, and I do believe, in the capacity of we Africans to build a nice future”
Jomaa who was in Nigeria for the first time said it was not enough to have vision for the development of blue economy but to implement those visions to generate income and create employment for the people.
“So it’s important to have the vision, but it’s not enough. Without vision, we cannot do anything. It’s not enough. It’s to have the team, the leadership, what we call the leadership, the great leadership.
“To leave that with the right organization and then to develop the capacity for implementation.
“We are at this point where there is a reconfiguration of the world, and it’s time to wake up, to stand up, and to walk for the future, to prepare the future.
“Blue economy is one of the areas where we can hope the best growth in the continent, the best growth for the people, the people.”
He said Nigeria must have direction for her vision in the blue economy sector and tap into available resources and potentials for all round development.
“First, to get a real vision, what we want to do, the direction we have, and not to be focused only checking the daily troubles, which is important for the daily life of people.
“But without direction, whatever you do, even though you have the best boat in the world, you can miss the direction.
“So it’s important to have the vision, but it’s not enough. Without vision, we cannot do anything. It’s not enough. It’s to have the team, the leadership, what we call the leadership, the great leadership.
“To leave that with the right organization and then to develop the capacity for implementation.”
The Tunisia Prime Minister noted that Nigeria and his country shared the same experience in the same African continent.
“We are sharing the same situation, the same continent but the same situation , the two nations must learn from each other.
“I think that we have to learn from each other from each experience and there is a lot to do with both countries but most to do is here with your local.”
Jomaa stated that there are many challenges facing Nigeria but confident that the challenges are associated with opportunities.
“Nigeria has enormous challenges but these challenges are as well the best as enormous challenges as enormous opportunities.
“It’s up to you really up to you to get this vision to organize yourself to get the good out of it.
“Put in place an organization to be a force of transformation , a force of action what is important it’s not only to get the dream, the dream is very good to develop the ambition but it’s not enough.”
