African nations have agreed on the need for population, assets and critical infrastructure protection from maritime pollution by prevention of dumping of toxic and nuclear wastes.
This was part of the agreements reached at the recently-held conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) in Abuja.
The body of all administrators of maritime regulatory bodies came up with the position as one of the major ways to safeguard the future of maritime wealth in the continent alongside other pertinent positions.
The resolutions were contained in the communiqué of the association that was released at the weekend at the end of the conference.
Members of the association consequently agreed to devote concerted efforts and planning to pursue the enhancement of wealth creation and regional and international trade performance through maritime-centric capacity and capability building while ensuring the minimization of environmental damage and expedited recovery from catastrophic events.
These they observed should be taken into cognisance as well as prevention of hostile and criminal acts at sea, by coordination/harmonization of the prosecution of offenders and improvement of Integrated Coastal Zone/Area Management in Africa, if the continent is to grow maritime trade.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has also promised to assist AMAA to address the maritime security challenges.
It is also to build human capacity to implement, monitor and enforce international maritime safety instruments.
According to the communiqué, the IMO will support, when possible, regular meetings of heads of maritime administrations in Africa at frequencies to be determined by the association.
“To achieve inclusive participation in global trade, countries must have the political will to facilitate trade through transparency, simplicity of trade documentation and procedures, reduction of bureaucracy and implementation of applicable laws.
The communiqué encouraged maritime administrations to institutionalise the day to raise awareness among stakeholders of the strategic importance of maritime governance for sustainable development.
It stressed the need to highlight the important role Africa needs to play at international maritime forum to raise awareness on Africa’s “Blue Economy’’.
It said the focus on maritime safety, security, maritime environment protection and human element should be enhanced.
“Maritime Administrations are urged to devote concerted efforts and planning to pursue enhancement of wealth creation, regional and international trade performance.
“There should be minimisation of environmental damage and expedited recovery from catastrophic events, prevention of hostile and criminal acts at sea and harmonisation of the prosecution of offenders,’’ it said.
The communiqué noted that there should be population protection, including assets and critical infrastructure from maritime pollution and prevention of dumping of toxic and nuclear wastes.
“There should be improvement of Integrated Coastal Zone and Area Management in Africa, promotion of ratification, domestication and implementation of international instruments.
“To address the enormous challenges of building human capacities in the maritime sector, especially regarding training and employment of cadets, maritime administrations should develop an integrated human resources strategy,” it added.
The communiqué explained that said this would support provision of skills.
Representatives of the following member states attended the conference – Mauritania, South Sudan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Somalia and South Africa.
Others were Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Comoros, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Kenya, Guinea, Libya and Nigeria.
Other countries that attended were Jamaica, Netherlands and Malaysia.
Also in attendance were representatives of Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU), Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Shippers Council.
Others were Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, National Inland Waterways Authority and Food and Agricultural Organisation.
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