Stakeholders call for improvement in infrastructure

Maritime experts have called for policies by the governments of countries in West and Central Africa to attract investments that would lead to improvement in maritime infrastructure.

The call was made in a statement by Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, Cheif Executive Officer Zoe Venture Ltd., at the end of the third edition of the Lagos International Maritime Week, which held between Monday and Wednesday.

According to the statement, the stakeholders called for improvement in maritime infrastructure within maritime clusters in Africa.

The statement said the present situation in many African countries required that negotiations for funding should be done to develop marine infrastructure.

“The maritime policies of African countries must undergo a paradigm shift, from dwelling on individual mode of transport to a new strategy that embraces a balanced and integrated transport system.

“The policies should not only take account of sustainability and technological challenges but also take into account the wider multiple uses of the oceans.

“Ports are veritable sources of employment. Therefore, their efficiency and development are extremely important for the African continent,” said the participants.

According to the statement, African countries need to develop comprehensive maritime policies that do not only focus on maritime transport but encompass the broad spectrum of multiple sea uses.

It stated that maritime infrastructure was capital intensive and that most African ports were planned and developed without considering the future.

According to the statement, the participants noted that the performance of the Marine Police was hampered by the absence of a clear legal framework; inadequate manpower; inadequate human capacity; inter-agency rivalry and poor funding.

The statement, however, said improving inter-agency collaboration would address the challenge of marine security in Nigeria.

The statement urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to organise quarterly maritime security stakeholders meetings to encourage collaboration by the maritime security agencies.

The statement noted that the Federal High courts, being the only court with jurisdiction on maritime matters, should ensure capacity building and development to meet the judicial requirements in this sector.

Credit: Report Nigeria