Environmental activists have expressed concerns over the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by President Bola Tinubu, saying the development shows the government’s disregard for the environment.

They argued that the ministries of Gas Resources and Oil Resources (now domiciled in the Ministry of Petroleum) and Ministry of Marine &Blue Economy, show many signs of special concerns at the time, just as they expressed worry that the president was yet to appoint a Minister for Environment.

The Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, in a statement, stated that while they have continued to raise concerns about the degraded environment, creating a Ministry of Gas Resources would only give license to the continuous gas emissions, which are a major cause of climate change and attendant problems faced by communities.

Bassey noted that by placing a special focus and promoting the gas industry, the Ministry of Gas will inexorably discourage the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives, stressing that this will further create a long-term dependency on fossil fuels, at a time when all efforts should be made to “depetrolise” economy.

“We do not see a bright future for the Nigerian environment, people, and economy with the president as minister of the twin petroleum ministries, and with the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The three ministries will pose unique problems for our aquatic ecosystems and inevitably worsen the plight of communities whose interests are once more set to be sacrificed,” he said.

Also, an environmental rights activist from the Ogoni extraction of Rivers State, Celestine AkpoBari, said by the concept of blue economy, it is aimed at massive exploitation and commodification of natural resources, especially the waterway and denying local fishermen/women their means of livelihood.

AkpoBari blamed President Tinubu for not appointing a substantive minister for the two ministries, saying the president’s discretion could shield transparency in those sectors, especially ecological funds and remittance from crude oil sale.

However, they expressed fear that by prioritising gas, other renewable energy sources will be neglected, just as they argued that the lack of diversification will hinder a country’s ability to adapt to future energy demands, emphasising, “It portends continuous disruption of our ecosystems with attendant health and safety risks.”