Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for a collaborative governance approach to combat the growing threat of ocean rise and coastal erosion facing Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region.
Speaking over the weekend at the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit in Nice, France—a precursor to the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled from June 9–13—Governor Diri urged global, national, and sub-national stakeholders to unite in safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, June 8, 2025, by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri highlighted that his participation in the summit, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, reflects his administration’s commitment to raising international awareness of the region’s environmental challenges.
During a panel session titled “Multi-Level Governance of Coastal Cities and Regions,” Diri underscored the urgency of joint action to address the impacts of global warming, climate change, and rising sea levels. He noted that Bayelsa’s unique geography—lying below sea level and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean—makes it especially vulnerable.
“Bayelsa is a coastal state with about 70 percent of its landmass covered by water. We face direct threats from rising sea levels and coastal erosion,” Diri stated. “In response, we created Nigeria’s first sub-national Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2024, following the federal government’s lead.”
He also highlighted the state’s efforts in mangrove restoration, emphasizing that environmental degradation in the region requires unified, not competitive, governance efforts.
“This is not a time for territorial competitiveness,” he said. “What we need is a multi-layered governance strategy involving international, national, and sub-national cooperation. Only then can we meaningfully address the existential threat our communities face.”
Governor Diri further advocated for global climate financing to support at-risk regions like Bayelsa. “We’re pleased to be part of this global conversation, which if well-coordinated, could open access to climate funds for sub-national entities like ours,” he added.
The summit attracted high-level global participants, including former U.S. Secretary of State and Climate Envoy, John Kerry, as well as leading scientists and policymakers focused on climate adaptation, sustainable development, and coastal resilience.
Also present were Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, and delegates from Lagos and Cross River states.
Governor Diri was accompanied by Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Dr. Faith Zibs-Godwin, Director in the ministry Mr. Wakedei Ere, and Technical Adviser on International Development and Liaison Mrs. Funkazi Koroye-Crooks.
