Symposium seeks marine ministry, mining reforms
Media professionals and stakeholders have called for the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Akwa Ibom State, the decentralisation of solid minerals exploitation, and stronger media involvement in driving investment and development narratives around the state’s natural resources.
The resolutions were reached at a one-day symposium organised by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals in collaboration with the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Abuja, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), held at Eden Hotels Limited, Eket, on May 20, 2026.
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*Senator Ekong Sampson
Etim Ekpimah
Media professionals and stakeholders have called for the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Akwa Ibom State, the decentralisation of solid minerals exploitation, and stronger media involvement in driving investment and development narratives around the state’s natural resources.
The resolutions were reached at a one-day symposium organised by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals in collaboration with the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Abuja, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), held at Eden Hotels Limited, Eket, on May 20, 2026.
The symposium, themed “Harnessing Akwa Ibom South’s Natural Resources: The Role of Media Professionals,” brought together media professionals, stakeholders and students from Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District to examine opportunities in the solid minerals and blue economy sectors.
Participants recommended the unbundling of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport and the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to better coordinate maritime development initiatives.
The symposium also urged the Federal Government to decentralise solid minerals exploitation by removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List, arguing that states should be empowered to engage experts and add value to mineral resources within their communities.
Stakeholders stressed the strategic role of the media in promoting the region’s solid minerals and blue economy potential, noting that journalists must drive narratives capable of attracting investments, promoting community participation and fostering sustainable development.
They further encouraged media practitioners to contribute to de-risking investments, building communal trust and ensuring transparent conflict resolution processes while promoting investor-friendly policies through data-driven storytelling.
Participants advocated the deployment of community radio stations broadcasting in local dialects to improve grassroots awareness and engagement. They also recommended the establishment of an Akwa Ibom State Solid Minerals Investment Agency and the creation of a sub-national revenue framework to boost resource-based earnings.
The symposium noted that the rapid growth of digital media had transformed communication and information dissemination, urging media professionals to maximise digital platforms within legal frameworks to shape public discourse.
Speakers at the event described the blue economy as a major catalyst for Nigeria’s long-term economic diversification beyond oil and gas and called on media professionals to support policies and initiatives capable of unlocking maritime and coastal opportunities.
The symposium also expressed appreciation to the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Dr Ekong Sampson, for facilitating the event, while commending SMDF and NIMASA for supporting the initiative.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Bassey Akra, and the Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Dr Edet Okpo.
