Harboursandport.com: Lagos - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday has charged African leaders to focus on Blue Economy, stressing that it is critical to the collective prosperity of continent.
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| President Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
President Tinubu made this know at the ongoing
43rd Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West and
Central Africa (PMAWCA) conference, stressing that the Blue Economy sector
holds immense potential for the entire continent.
Tinubu who was represented at the event by the
Minister of Marine and Blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, noted that the sector
presents the continent with untapped opportunities for growth and development.
According to him, “We
must acknowledge the maritime sector as a central driver for the sustainable
development of our nations.”
He said despite national boundaries, the
waters serve as a natural source of connectivity for countries in Africa,
emphasising that the region’s shared destiny and challenges require
collaborative efforts.
The President also underlined the
significance of technological advancement in the sector. He emphasized that
automation is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of ports in the
global maritime industry.
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.
In his words, “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
operationalization of the Port Community System.”
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.
Mohammed Bello Koko, the Managing
Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, while speaking earlier also
echoed President Tinubu’s call for regional cooperation in the maritime sector.
He noted that the opportunities
presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are substantial
while urging African leaders to work together to eliminate trade barriers and
harness these opportunities for the collective prosperity of respective
national economies
He said “The opportunities presented by
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are substantial. We must work
together to eliminate trade barriers and harness these opportunities for the
collective prosperity of our respective national economies,” Mr. Koko stated.
He praised the PMAWCA for its role in
promoting ports’ cooperation and expressed the Nigerian Ports Authority’s
commitment to partnership and support for policies and action steps that will
be discussed during the conference.
He added that the 43rd PMAWCA
conference, with its focus on the Blue Economy and the significance of regional
cooperation, has 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 countries, alongside international observers, to exchange ideas and insights,
with the shared goal of enhancing trade facilitation and spurring economic
growth in the region.
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