Of Reforms and Dantsoho’s Election as PMAWCA Chairman

The unanimous election of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho as the first Nigerian chairman of Africa’s Premier Maritime Body, PMAWCA, is a testament to acceptance of the federal government’s reforms in the maritime sector and confidence in his ability to transform the industry in West and Central Africa, writes Eromosele Abiodun

After several years of agonising wait, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho was last week elected the Chairman of West and Central Africa’s premier maritime body, Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), at the 44^th annual council and 19^th roundtable of Directors General of  PMAWCA  in Conakry-Guinea. It was indeed a crowning moment for Nigeria. With over 400 delegates from over 20 countries present, expectations were high and at the end, Nigeria triumphed. Many of the delegates were unanimous in their views that Dantsoho will turn the fortunes of the body around. Before his election as PMAWCA chairman, Dantsoho who was just appointed to transform the NPA a few month ago has done a phenomenal job putting in place structures that will see Nigeria wrestle cargos from neighbouring countries.

PMAWCA was established in October 1972 under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and it covers the seaports located along the West Coast of Africa including Mauritania and Angola. The shipping area covers a coastline about 12,000 km. Its ports handle about 300 million tons of maritime import/export trade for the sub-region excluding crude oil.

PMAWCA consists of 24 regular member Ports and 8 associate members spanning from Mauritania to Angola along the West African coast. It includes Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone countries with official languages in English, French, and Portuguese, as well as observer members in Europe.

Its objective is to cooperate and share knowledge on best practices in port management and operations in order to deliver efficient and effective port services to our clients (ships and cargo owners), while maintaining the best culture of safe.

In his acceptance speech, Dantsoho said the recognition represents a significant milestone in the continuing march of West and Central Africa Maritime states towards global competitiveness and delivery of world class services. 

He added that the Nigerian government commitment to a revolutionary turnaround of Nigeria’s maritime industry, has been characterised by reforms in critical segments of the industry, including port rehabilitation and modernisation, infrastructure, digitisation and automation.

These measures, he added, would undoubtedly boost operational efficiency as well as revenue generation, while augmenting the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy by boosting non-oil exports.

According to him, “It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before my friends from the countries of West and Central Africa today to accept the mantle of leadership of our great association, PMAWCA and to serve as its chairman. I would like to seize this occasion to affirm Nigeria’s  will and  determination clearly  demonstrated by the Hon Minister of Marine & Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to sustain the momentum established by my predecessor Mr Martin Boguikuoma Managing Director of Gabon Ports Authority and to continue to put all efforts needed in order to  further consolidate the economic cohesion of the region and to actualize the interests of member ports.”

While calling for collaboration among member states, he said it is only through robust commitment and collaboration that mandates can be achieved.

“Therefore, I will be seeking your usual cooperation and advice in helping to ensure that we continue to develop the maritime sector in our various countries and the West and Central African sub-region in general.

“Recalling our deliberations at the Board of Directors meeting, the need to relocate the PMAWCA headquarters to a more visible and befitting place in lagos Nigeria, the training needs of the Association and the PCS is dear to my heart and will do my very best in this direction to achieve these goals,” he said. 

FG Congratulates Dantsoho

In a statement to congratulate Dantsoho, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said Dantsoho’s election is a testament to the fact that the effort to turn around the port economy in Nigeria is being recognised by global stakeholders.

Oyetola said the recognition will further fuel Nigeria’s effort to reclaim its maritime global relevance under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. 

He said the political will of the President to create the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, “I congratulate Dantsoho for his election, it is a responsibility that I am sure he can deliver on. His election has proven the renewed hope agenda of Mr President to turn around the port economy by creating the Marine and Blue Economy was a step in the right direction.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create the Ministry is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector. This decision is not only a demonstration of the President’s deep understanding of the economic possibilities of the sector, but also a clear indication of his political will to ensure that Nigeria reclaims its rightful place as a key maritime player globally.

“The maritime industry has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy, create jobs, and improve livelihoods. With our rich coastline and strategic location, the country is well positioned to become a key hub for maritime activities in Africa. The creation of this Ministry therefore reflects the government’s commitment to building a future where the blue economy plays a major role in national prosperity.”

Dantsoho Seeks help for Landlocked Countries

In his opening address at the conference, Dantsoho advocated for among other measures, the sustained pursuit and completion of international highway, rail routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal, such as the Niger, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan to ensure service provision to the landlocked states efficiently and at reduced cost.

The NPA boss who noted that out of the 44 landlocked countries globally Africa accounts for 16 said it is a moral duty for the coastal states to provide access to the sea for the landlocked countries.

According to him, “The question thrown by emerging trends and the current roundtable is more like servicing the Hinterland without scrambling for the service on one hand and how to build shared capacity by coastal states to ensure service provision to the landlocked states efficiently and at reduced cost.

“In doing the above, there should be sustained and sincere agenda to engage in the following: Sustained pursuit and completion of the International Highway routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal, such as the Niger, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan International Highways, sustained creation of common International Rail routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal States.” 

Others, he added, are; leveraging on the strength of each other to improve on trade facilitation to landlocked countries, sharing of ideas and information on advancement in technology that can result to enhancement of service delivery, technological connectivity between littoral states to expedite transit cargo transportation particularly where multiple transit by water is required within the sub region.

“Establish multilateral agreements and trading partnerships with neighbouring coastal countries and other regional partners, infrastructure planning: coordinating investments in port infrastructure and transportation networks. The proposed Abidjan to Lagos highway by ECOWAS Heads of State which will link the most economically dynamic cities and ports and the most densely populated urban areas in West Africa is a welcome development.

“Regulatory harmonization: Aligning policies and procedures to facilitate smooth cargo movement. This is critical for transhipment cargo, joint initiatives for security, safety, and environmental protection. This is critical for attracting and sustaining economic development, combining cargo volumes to negotiate better rates with shipping lines, aligning vessel schedules to reduce congestion and increase efficiency. Ports in the region, particularly the Shippers’ Councils must continue to work together on this.”

Best Practices for Terminal Operations

He also called for, “sharing best practices for terminal operations and capacity utilisation, collaborating on rail, road and inland waterway connections, emergency response planning: Joint contingency planning for accidents or disruptions and engaging in diplomatic and cultural exchange programs: Good relationships foster trust and cooperation.”

He stressed that benefits such as; increased efficiency, improved competitiveness, enhanced customer satisfaction, reduced costs and better utilisation of resources can be derived if the strategic and operational complementarities are synergised.

“From the foregoing it is clear that the relationship between maritime shipping and the hinterland is interdependent, which implies thst surmounting the challenges associated with fluidity of Port operations requires a strong nexus between the maritime space and the hinterland as the two constitute the domain of global freight circulation. Conclusively, ensuring the full optimization of Hinterland Connectivity, requires a diverse approach that combines infrastructure development, digital advancement and diplomatic cooperation measures which I believe PMAWCA is thoroughly equipped and is poised to foster,” he stated.

Catalysts for Growth

Speaking, the Managing Director of the Port Autonome de Conakry, Mamadou Biro Diallo said Ports are key hubs for world trade and catalysts for growth.

”But for this growth to be truly beneficial, it must extend beyond the port interface into the hinterland. This is where connectivity and the fluidity of logistics chains play a decisive role. Connectivity between the ports and the hinterland is based on a varied infrastructure network, including roads, railways and sometimes even waterways.

”That’s why the Port Autonome de Conakry is giving pride of place to these challenges, which also involve supporting the development efforts of hinterland countries by offering quality services. Optimising port hinterland services requires an integrated vision of connectivity, fluidity and reliability. This requires strong collaboration between public and private players, a commitment to sustainable investment in infrastructure and greater adoption of new technologies. Together, we can meet these challenges and build more efficient supply chains that will support not only local economies but also global trade,” he stated.