President Bola Tinubu on Monday charged to prioritise the maritime sector as it is a central driver for the sustainable development of countries
Tinubu stated this at the 43rd Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) taking place in Lagos from November 6-12 in Lagos.
He said the conference underlines the critical role of the blue economy in the collective prosperity of African nations.
He emphasised that the sector holds immense potential for the entire continent and urged African leaders to give attention to it.
The president who was represented at the event by the minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola noted that the continent’s blue economy presents the continent with untapped opportunities for growth and development.
He stressed the interconnectedness of African countries through their maritime endowments adding that his administration created the ministry of marine and blue economy in response to the government’s commitment to unlocking the potential of the sector.
Despite the national boundaries, Tinubu maintained that the waters serve as a natural source of connectivity, emphasising that the region’s shared destiny and challenges require collaborative efforts.
The president also underlined the significance of technological advancement in the sector saying that automation is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of ports in the global maritime industry.
Besides, he highlighted the importance of the port community system, which serves as a precursor to the implementation of the national single window, as essential tools in streamlining port operations.
“As a government that believes in the necessity of infusing information technology into public management to aid transparency and ease business processes, we are giving the Nigerian Ports Authority all the backing necessary to fast track the operationalisation of the port community system,” he added.
He further pointed out that full automation is the way forward if African ports are to remain competitive on the international stage, echoing the sentiment that seamless and efficient cargo handling is vital for port competitiveness in the African context.
In his remarks, the MD/CEO, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Koko, noted that the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are substantial and African leaders to work together to eliminate trade barriers and harness such opportunities for the collective prosperity of respective national economies
He praised the PMAWCA for its role in promoting ports’ cooperation and expressed the NPA’s commitment to partnership and support for policies and action steps that will be discussed during the conference.
He added that the PMAWCA conference, with its focus on the blue economy and the significance of regional cooperation, set the stage for a crucial dialogue on how African nations can unlock the potential of their maritime resources.
He urged delegates from West and Central African regions, alongside international observers, to exchange ideas and insights, with the shared goal of enhancing trade facilitation and spurring economic growth in the region.
