The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,has reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to the leadership of Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and the establishment of the Regional Maritime Development Bank, as advocated by the organisation.
During a meeting with Dr. Paul Adalikwu, MOWCA Secretary General, in Abuja on Thursday, Oyetola emphasized the pivotal role of the bank in driving maritime development by financing essential platforms and infrastructure for economic growth.
He applauded MOWCA’s initiative to host a workshop aimed at preventing waterways accidents, scheduled to take place in Libreville, Gabon, later this year. Oyetola expressed Nigeria’s interest in hosting similar programmes to enhance waterways safety across the region.
Furthermore, Oyetola urged all MOWCA member countries to contribute adequately to the financing of the maritime bank. He assured transparency in the selection process for qualified individuals to fill positions allocated to Nigeria, including the presidency and managing directorship of the bank.
In his address, Adalikwu highlighted Nigeria’s expanding role in regional maritime affairs and the progress made towards the establishment of the bank. He underscored the importance of ensuring safety in water transportation and the need for collaborative efforts among member countries.
Adalikwu also briefed the minister on the enhanced accountability and transparency measures implemented within MOWCA under his leadership. He shared that Nigeria had been invited to join the board of the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, further solidifying its engagement in maritime education and training initiatives.
The meeting concluded with Adalikwu presenting a detailed annual report on MOWCA’s activities in 2022, with the 2023 report slated for release in April. Both parties re-affirmed their commitment to fostering mutual cooperation and advancing maritime development in the region.
