How blue economy can boost job creation in Africa, by Dantsoho

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has urged operators and  regulators of maritime activities in West and Central African sun-region to prioritise the Blue Economy to boost job creation and take African nations and its people out of the woods.

Speaking at the closing ceremony 45th Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) held in Pointe-Noire, Congo, yesterday, Dantsoho said, the resolutions from the week-long meeting will shape policy formulation and implementation and  help government of member states to manage their economies and maintain financial stability.

He said: “This convergence of West and Central African talent to generate ideas for optimising opportunities inherent in our maritime and demographic endowments will not only give direction to policy formulation, but will embolden government action, as the decisions and the communique arising from this meeting will be given the seriousness they deserve”.

Dantsoho, who is also the current President of PMAWCA, highlighted the interconnectedness and interdependence of African nations and urged the regulators, operators and the other stakeholders in the maritime industry across the continent to cooperate and work together for the collective advancement of the economies of their states and seaports across the region.

He applauded the unity of purpose demonstrated by Directors-General and Chief Executives of member ports, describing their contributions as “remarkable.”Dantosho, who was represented by the General Manager Corporate Affairs and Communication, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara said, he was happy based on the level of enthusiasm, goodwill and altruism displayed by the delegated and experts during the technical sessions and deliberations and concluded that ports within the sub-region are well-positioned to confront future challenges with renewed hope and confidence.

His words: “ I have always looked forward to a time in the life of the African community when we all collaborate and act in good faith in pursuit of the greater good of our dear Africa.

On behalf of all of us at PMAWCA, he said, “ I thank you immensely for lending your time and expertise to advancing the frontiers of trade and prosperity by deploying your efforts, energies and experience to formulate ideas that will enable us, as a sub-region, to maximize the potentials of our maritime sector.

 “Judging from the goodwill, enthusiasm and altruism that pervaded the technical sessions and meetings—as evidenced by the robust cross-fertilisation of ideas, I am persuaded that the Ports of West and Central Africa are poised to face the future with confidence.”

He added that Africa’s geographical and economic realities demand stronger integration and cooperation, especially given the rapidly evolving global maritime environment.

He expressed gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of Congo for their hospitality in hosting the Council, and commended the Secretary-General of PMAWCA, Mr. Koffi Jean Marie, as well as the Port of Pointe-Noire team and other partners for their excellent coordination.

 Dantsoho urged the delegates and experts at the meeting to sustain the momentum of collaboration by invoking the popular words of global industrialist Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

How blue economy can boost job creation in Africa, by Dantsoho - The Nation Newspaper