The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called on maritime regulators and operators across West and Central Africa to prioritise the development of the Blue Economy as a pathway to job creation, regional trade expansion, and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 45th Annual Council of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) held in Pointe-Noire, Congo, Dantsoho said the resolutions reached during the week-long meeting would help shape government policies and drive economic stability across member states.
Represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, the NPA boss noted that the region's maritime sector holds vast untapped potential capable of transforming the continent's fortunes.
"This convergence of West and Central African talent to generate ideas for optimising opportunities in our maritime and demographic endowments will embolden government action," he said. "The communique arising from this meeting will be given the seriousness it deserves."
Dantsoho, who also serves as President of PMAWCA, urged port authorities, regulators, and stakeholders to work together to strengthen cooperation, enhance trade facilitation, and position African ports as competitive global players.
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He commended the unity of purpose demonstrated by Directors-General and Chief Executives of member ports, describing their engagement and ideas as "remarkable contributions to the growth of the regional maritime sector."
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he quoted industrialist Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
Dantsoho thanked the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the event and praised the PMAWCA Secretary-General, Mr. Koffi Jean Marie, and the Port of Pointe-Noire team for their coordination.
He concluded that the ports of West and Central Africa are now better positioned to confront future challenges and unlock new opportunities through cooperation, innovation, and shared commitment to the Blue Economy agenda.
