Secretary of Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Dr Paul Adalikwu, has secured the support of Equatorial Guinea for a planned regional cabotage regime that aims at deepening investment and employment opportunities for African entrepreneurs and professionals in the maritime industry.
Speaking in Malabo, during his maiden working visit to the country, Adalikwu who had audience with Prime Minister Francisco Pascual Obama Asue and Transport Minister Rufino Ovono Ondo Engonga, said Africa has potential to produce qualified seafarers as the first choice for employment in the continent’s maritime industry
According to him, the MOWCA’s Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) aimed at bridging identified gaps would promote sustainable investments and employments for qualified citizens of West and Central African countries.
He urged littoral countries in the region to invest in maritime human capital development by committing resources to training youths and retraining serving seafarers to meet the demands of Africa and global employment markets.
He identified fishing, ship repairs, ship building and attraction of maritime related industries for production of life jackets, fishing nets, outboard engines and other equipment as opportunities for entrepreneurs.
While reminding the Equatorial Guinea authorities on the need to avert impending shortage of African seafarers onboard modern vessels, Adalikwu added that increased production of qualified seafarers will go a long way to reduce poverty and promote productivity on the continent. To this end, he encouraged the authorities to enroll their youth at the Regional Academy of Science and Technology, Côte d’Ivoire which is an organ of MOWCA.
The PM lauded MOWCA under Adalikwu for it’s proactive and productive approach to regional and continental maritime affairs.
Equatorial Guinea, according to the PM will fully participate in MOWCA activities and would be open to technical collaboration in areas like port development, fisheries, capacity building, maritime transportation and allied areas.
Both the Transport Minister and Prime Minister expressed deep appreciation for the SG’s visit. This was the first such visits in decades.