BY CHINYERE OBIORA, LAGOS – The West and Central Africa must develop their ports sustainably with key safety and security initiatives to compete effectively as global players in the industry.
Both regions also need to articulate and refocus on environmental-related port activities to enhance their resilience for positive development and growth.
Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, gave the challenge when the new Chief Project Officer (CPO), Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Mr Roland Tantoh took office recently
She said to achieve the needed impact by the sub-regions, PMAWCA members must improve their capacity to develop and remain competitive amid the current COVID-19 setbacks.
The NPA boss, represented by General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr Olaseni Alakija, said; “PMAWCA should encourage member ports to provide needed support for one another and rally together to achieve the milestones that we otherwise could not achieve as individual ports.
“We also have to adopt policies that will increase the involvement of women in the maritime industry.”
A statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, also quoted Bala-Usman as congratulating Mr Tantoh on his appointment, while urging him to focus on partnership among member ports in line with international best practices.
The NPA Chief Executive, who also praised Mr Esaie Afri Kouassi of Port of SanPedro, Cote d’Ivoire for a successful six-year tenure as CPO, said this could be realised through information sharing, and consolidation of partnerships.
Additionally, she charged the body to always seek expert assistance and funding as well as share expert services that align with Association’s set objectives.
In his remarks, Secretary General of PMAWCA, Mr Jean Marie-Koffi also lauded the former CPO for his contributions over the last six years even as he called for diligence in welcoming the new helmsman.
The NPA and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) also received kudos from the PMAWCA Scribe for their support over the years, adding that they have continued to support all the projects as good hosts.
For the former CPO, Kouassi, it was praises for colleagues and staff at the PMAWCA Secretariat.
Besides pouring encomiums on one Mohammed (the oldest staff at the secretariat) who taught him the Lagos lifestyle, Kouassi also thanked Mr Michael Luguje, a former Secretary General of PMAWCA, who groomed him for the job and extolled the current Secretary General, Marie-Koffi for his support during his administration.
In his response, the new CPO, Mr Tantoh, who is from the Port of Douala, Cameroon, pledged to be diligent in maintaining the work culture at PMAWCA.
Tantoh pledged to keep the promise made to the Douala Port Director about serving diligently and making Cameroon and PMAWCA proud.
Among dignitaries at the event were Consular-General of the Republic of Cameroon in Nigeria, Mrs Manga Bessem Elizabeth; representatives of NSC, NPA and delegation of the Republic of Cameroon.
