The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and current President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has called upon maritime operators and regulators in the West and Central African sub-region to prioritize the Blue Economy to stimulate job creation and uplift African nations and their people.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 45th Annual Council of PMAWCA in Pointe-Noire, Congo, Dantsoho expressed confidence that the resolutions from the week-long meeting will significantly impact policy formulation and implementation, assisting the governments of member states in managing their economies and sustaining financial stability.

He stated, “This convergence of West and Central African talent to generate ideas for optimising opportunities inherent in our maritime and demographic endowments will not only give direction to policy formulation, but will embolden government action, as the decisions and the communique arising from this meeting will be given the seriousness they deserve.”

Dantsoho underscored the interconnectedness and interdependence of African nations, urging regulators, operators, and other stakeholders in the continent’s maritime industry to cooperate for the collective advancement of their states’ economies and the seaports across the region. He commended the unity of purpose demonstrated by the Directors-General and Chief Executives of member ports, describing their contributions as “remarkable.”

Represented by the General Manager Corporate Affairs and Communication, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Dantsoho expressed satisfaction with the level of enthusiasm, goodwill, and altruism displayed by the delegates and experts during the technical sessions and deliberations.

He concluded that ports within the sub-region are well-positioned to tackle future challenges with renewed hope and confidence, adding, “I have always looked forward to a time in the life of the African community when we all collaborate and act in good faith in pursuit of the greater good of our dear Africa.”

On behalf of PMAWCA, he conveyed gratitude, stating, “I thank you immensely for lending your time and expertise to advancing the frontiers of trade and prosperity by deploying your efforts, energies and experience to formulate ideas that will enable us, as a sub-region, to maximize the potentials of our maritime sector.”

He further asserted, “Judging from the goodwill, enthusiasm and altruism that pervaded the technical sessions and meetings—as evidenced by the robust cross-fertilisation of ideas, I am persuaded that the Ports of West and Central Africa are poised to face the future with confidence.” Dantsoho stressed that Africa’s geographical and economic realities necessitate stronger integration and cooperation, particularly given the rapidly changing global maritime environment.

He thanked the government and people of the Republic of Congo for hosting the Council and praised the PMAWCA Secretary-General, Mr. Koffi Jean Marie, the Port of Pointe-Noire team, and other partners for their excellent coordination.

Finally, Dantsoho encouraged the delegates and experts to maintain the collaborative momentum by citing the words of industrialist Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”