As part of efforts to ramp up safety on waterways, as well as harness its blue economic potential, Bayelsa State is set to establish a marine safety task force and create economic zones to be known as fish cities. 
  
Governor Douye Diri disclosed this, yesterday, during an event tagged: “Expanded Stakeholders Validation for the Bayelsa State Marine and Blue Economy Draft Policy,” organised by the state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Yenagoa, the state capital.
  
A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, pointed out that the governor sees security on waterways as a major factor if the state would benefit from the wealth in its maritime domain. 
  
He noted that the life of the Ijaw man had been surrounded by water and that establishing the Ministry of Blue Economy in the state reflected the nature and essence of Bayelsans and Ijaws at large. 
  
He explained that his administration would set up fish cities to move the fishing occupation of the Ijaw man from subsistence to commercial level.

As it was a way for the state to reap the benefits from the resources in its blue economy.

The Bayelsa helmsman also stated that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and that of the state demonstrated the seriousness of the government in creating most of the opportunities in the blue economy sector. 
  
Diri said that his administration’s investment in infrastructure such as the three senatorial roads, which all lead to the Atlantic Ocean, would create opportunities for young people to make a living. 
  
According to him, globally, the blue economy sector is valued at over $1.5 trillion yearly and provides more than 30 million jobs, with a potential for growth. 
  
His words: “The blue economy offers a vast array of opportunities in maritime shipping, fishing and aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable energy, undersea cabling, seabed extraction, marine biotechnology, and even the emerging field of marine genetic resources.
  
“As part of our Assured Prosperity Agenda, we are committed to creating pathways where our young people can build successful careers in these areas. For us, this is more than just about creating jobs; it is about carving out sustainable futures that benefit both our economy and our environment.