Nice, France – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has passionately advocated for a collaborative governance model and global financial support to protect communities in his state and the wider Niger Delta region from the escalating threats of ocean rise and coastal erosion.
Speaking at the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit, a precursor to the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, Governor Diri underscored the urgent need for a unified approach involving international, national, and sub-national stakeholders.
The summit, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, serves as a crucial platform for global dialogue on ocean challenges.
Governor Diri’s presence, accompanied by a high-powered delegation including Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, highlights Bayelsa’s commitment to drawing international attention to its severe environmental challenges.
During a panel session on “Multi-Level Governance of Coastal Cities and Regions,” Governor Diri emphasized that collaboration is paramount to effectively address global warming, climate change, and rising sea levels.
He painted a stark picture of Bayelsa’s vulnerability, noting that “As a coastal state, Bayelsa lies below the sea level and consequently faces the risks associated with ocean rise.About 70 per cent of its land area is occupied by rivers and it borders the Atlantic Ocean on its three senatorial flanks.”
He further stressed that Bayelsa communities are “either being destroyed or at the verge of being wiped out” by the relentless ocean surge.In a pioneering move, Governor Diri revealed that Bayelsa State established a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2024, becoming the first sub-national entity in Nigeria to do so, following President Bola Tinubu’s federal initiative in 2023.
This demonstrates the state’s proactive policy innovation in line with national efforts. Additionally, he highlighted the state’s promotion of mangrove restoration, recognizing the vital role these ecosystems play in coastal protection.
Governor Diri firmly rejected a “competitiveness” mindset in tackling these challenges, instead calling for a “multi-governmental approach” centered on “collaborative and synergistic governance at the national, sub-national and international levels with all the stakeholders involved.”
A key thrust of his appeal was the necessity of global funding support for affected regions. “We are very glad to be part of this process,” he stated, “which if well coordinated would lead to sub-nationals like mine having access to climate funds and other supports.”
This access to climate finance is crucial for implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies in highly vulnerable areas.The summit, which saw the participation of prominent figures like former United States Secretary of State and Special Envoy on Climate, Mr. John Kerry, and other global stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers, aims to forge solutions for rising sea levels, coastal erosion, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
Also in attendance were Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, and delegates from Lagos and Cross River states, signaling a growing regional awareness and concerted effort within Nigeria to address these shared environmental crises.
