By Lubem Gena
There is a piece making the rounds in a fringe corner of the Benue State social media space titled “A Ministry Adrift: Benue’s Blue Economy Without Direction.”
Ordinarily, such a pedestrian exercise in conjecture would have been ignored. However, for the sake of public enlightenment and to set the records straight, it has become necessary to respond.
At best, the write-up is a feeble attempt at sensationalism; at worst, it is a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at undermining the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, particularly as it concerns the creation and operational trajectory of the Benue State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Contrary to the jaundiced narrative peddled by the writer, the Ministry is not adrift; it is firmly anchored on a solid legal and administrative foundation. The establishment of the Ministry was backed by an enabling law, giving it the statutory authority to function effectively.
Furthermore, the Benue State House of Assembly has duly constituted a dedicated committee to oversight the Ministry. The committee has since maintained a productive and collaborative relationship with the Ministry in line with global best practices.
It is glaring that the author of the said article lacks even a rudimentary understanding of governance structures, especially the clear demarcation between federal and state responsibilities. His attempt to conflate roles across tiers of government only exposes his intellectual shallowness and reinforces the hollowness of his arguments.
More importantly, the writer betrays an alarming ignorance of the complexities involved in birthing a new Ministry—particularly one that requires the careful harmonisation of mandates previously domiciled in other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Such institutional realignments demand time, expertise, and strategic coordination—qualities that the present administration has demonstrated in abundance.
Within a record time, the avalanche of achievements recorded by the Ministry are unprecedented. Since its inception, the Ministry has recorded significant milestones. Towards this, the seamless reintegration of the Department of Fisheries (and others to follow) stands as a demonstration to the government’s commitment to structural coherence and administrative efficiency. This singular move has strengthened the Ministry’s capacity to regulate and develop the fisheries subsector in line with its broader blue economy agenda.
Under the able leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba—a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience—the Ministry has undertaken a comprehensive audit of facilities within its purview, ensuring that both operational assets and institutional frameworks are optimally aligned for service delivery.
In keeping with its Public-Private Sector (PPS) driven philosophy, the Ministry have taken a constructive step of engaging with critical stakeholders such as the Benue Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (BECCIMA); The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Benue state branch; the Benue Association of Maritime Cadets (BAMC); several industry-specific players; large cache of investors from far and near as well as receipt of several proposals from various layers of players across the value chain activities of Ministry.
It may also be noted that, a delegation of the Kenya-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arc. Bob Achanya have opened a partnership discussion with the ministry on fisheries, aquaculture, marine logistics, and water transport management and capacity-building. Other areas include cage culture (mariculture), integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems, and coastal value chains.
These engagements have not only fostered partnerships but have also deliberate efforts to generate the needed catalysts of investment inflows and policy innovations.
Furthermore, the Ministry has demonstrated responsiveness and regulatory capacity. Following the unfortunate boat mishap of January 19, 2025, at Buruku, swift interventions were undertaken to enhance safety standards and enforcement mechanisms.
Curbing incoherent practices is another major function of the Ministry and it has perform creditably well. In the past, fishing in the pounds on the river Benue corridor was marred with the use of chemicals and blasting. This has been brought to the barest minimum by the present administration.
Extensive community sensitisation programmes in Gidan Pepa, Abinsi, Adi-Etulo, and beyond underscore the Ministry’s grassroots engagement strategy, ensuring that policies are inclusive and people-oriented.
It is therefore both laughable and unfortunate for any individual—whether out of ignorance or mischief—to label such a vibrant and proactive institution as dormant. The facts are clear, verifiable, and overwhelming.
Benue State is on a trajectory of sustainable development under Governor Alia. The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is playing its strategic role in this transformation, with diligence, transparency, and foresight.
There are several other tasks the ministry is dutifully planning ground shaking works that needs not to be disclosed at the moment.
It is therefore pertinent to unequivocally emphasize that in the new Benue under Governor Alia, all hands are on the deck. The MDAs are performing. That is why even the blind can see the visible development going on across the length and breadth of the state
The ministry of Marine and Blue Economy reaffirms its capability and will never be intimidated or maligned by such reckless and undesirable comments. Knowledge is now at the fingertips, the writer may do well to conduct a simple Google check on the ministry. In line with the directive by the Governor, the Ministry has also hooked up to the world-wde-web and most of its track records can be viewed via: https://mmbe.benuestate.gov.ng/
It needs to be sounded that, those who delight in throwing stones of falsehood would do well to first examine the fragility of their own glass houses. In today’s Benue, there is no hiding place for ignorance,
Moreover, in a 21st century Benue state, there is no room for ignorance and poverty of comprehension of the massive work MDAs are doing. The people deserve facts, not fiction.
Lubem Gena, FIIM, is the Head of Media, Publicity and Orientation
Office of the Honourable Commissioner
Wednesday, 8th March, 2026
