The federal government has indicated an interest in partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to reduce unemployment and promote industrialisation in the country.
The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the readiness of his ministry to partner with UNIDO to have an industrialization road map, which will help in creating more jobs in the marine and blue economy sector.
The minister explained that the partnership would lead to the realization of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Oyetola made this disclosure while responding to the offer made by UNIDO to partner with the Ministry.
The minister in a statement in Abuja by the Director of Press & Public Relations of the ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, commended UNIDO for playing vital roles in promoting sustainable economic development in other regions.
He said,
“I must commend you for the wonderful partnerships that have existed between our various states and UNIDO.”
Oyetola also lauded President Tunubu for creating the Ministry, stating that the establishment of the ministry would aid the creation of jobs and the utilization of resources in the sector for growth.
He said,
“The best way to go is to develop an industrial area to ensure we can produce, bearing in mind the best of quality assurance, so that the product can compete with any other product in the world”.
The Minister explained that the Ministry has plans for environmental sustainability in whatever it does, adding that he is willing to partner with UNIDO in those areas that will be beneficial to the citizens of Nigeria.
He further disclosed that part of the pillars of the present administration was food security and assured that Marine and Blue Economy has been mandated by Mr President to contribute meaningfully to that.
The minister while urging the representatives of UNIDO to invest in fishing, assured that fishing, its regulation, and other element with potential to grow the nation’s economy will be kept safe to protect the people harvesting the marine resources.
The Minister also stated that the ministry will synergize with UNIDO in growing the technology and entrepreneurial development to ensure that institutions are harnessed for the socio-economic development of the country.
UNIDO’s Ambassador to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Office, Jean Bakole emphasized the need to support projects in areas of technical assistance, adding that some of the key areas of focus are research and statistics, agro-industry which is for production and manufacturing, innovation of ideas to support the country which will create job opportunities and marine waste management.
Bakole disclosed that UNIDO offers opportunities for investors and technology suppliers as well as fosters potential partnerships and gives unique services to entrepreneurs and business institutions that have re-created into global networks.
