Lagos: The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for stronger regional integration among West and Central African coastal and island states.
He said removing trade barriers was vital to unlocking maritime potential and achieving shared economic growth across the region.
Dantsoho made this statement in a press release issued by the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate Communication and Strategy, Mr Okechukwu Onyemekara, in Lagos on Wednesday.
The NPA boss, who also serves as President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), spoke at the 45th Annual Council Meeting in Pointe-Noire, Congo.
He said PMAWCA and stakeholders must work together to tackle challenges hindering socio-economic advancement in the region’s maritime sector.
The event, with the theme ‘Reinventing Port Zones Management’, focuses on sustainable port development and addresses environmental and economic challenges.
It was opened by Congo’s Prime Minister, Anatole Makosso, and has more than 350 delegates from across Africa and beyond in attendance.
Dantsoho praised PMAWCA for championing regional cooperation and noted the region’s vast maritime endowment as a key economic resource.
He lamented that weak infrastructure was affecting port competitiveness and causing significant economic losses, as well as increased vulnerability in many communities.
Infrastructure, he stressed, was an area where African ports required decisive intervention and regional collaboration to thrive.
He said improving blue economy opportunities remained central to enhancing regional livelihoods and strengthening maritime trade.
Dantsoho highlighted climate and energy, data collaboration, and resilience as core priorities under his leadership at the NPA.
He urged the development and implementation of sound policies to ensure optimal use of regional waters for economic growth.
Represented by Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, he encouraged operators to convert maritime advantages into shared prosperity across member countries.
He said West and Central African nations faced similar development challenges and possessed strong human and natural resources that should be jointly harnessed.
Dantsoho recalled PMAWCA’s pledge at the World Port Conference in Japan to strengthen policy execution, collaboration, and trade facilitation.
He stated that the commitment aimed to drive efficiencies, improve cooperation, and remove barriers that affect trade across the region.
According to him, resilient port infrastructure was as critical as security and transparency in strengthening port competitiveness.
He urged stakeholders to view their roles as a responsibility to Africa’s maritime future and regional integration.
Dantsoho commended the Congolese government and the Port Authority of Pointe-Noire for hosting the summit.
He also praised delegates, partners, and observers for their support of knowledge sharing and regional maritime development.
Speakers at the event included the Mayor of Pointe-Noire, Evelynne TchitChelle, and the Director-General of the Autonomous Port of Pointe-Noire, Bhalat Seraphin.
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