African govts advised to invest in waterways security, dredging, wreck removal

The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has urged African governments to invest more in promoting security and dredging of waterway channels and removal of wrecks to facilitate navigation for sustainable trade.

The organisation said this would sustain an enabling environment for legitimate trade, travel, tourism, research and the exchange of cultural values among coastal areas.

The Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu, made the call while delivering preliminary remarks at the recently organised Africa Transport Forum hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking on the theme of the event: ‘The State of Inland Waterways Transport in Africa: Potential, Opportunities and Challenges’, Adalikwu described the waterways as natural endowments critical for the economic, environmental, social and general well-being of coastal communities.

He emphasised the need for state and non-state actors to collaborate closely in a sustainable manner to suppress crime across all maritime spaces on the continent, enabling other lawful economic activities such as fishing, tourism, and underwater mining to thrive.

Adalikwu also called for the removal of wrecks from waterways that could cause marine accidents, suggesting that such wrecks could be recycled for economic benefits after their removal to ensure the conservation of the marine ecosystem.

He advocated for stronger public and private sector collaboration to fully harness the potential of inland waterways. Adalikwu commended the AfDB for its interest in supporting a vibrant blue economy on the continent, aligning with the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, which aims to foster a culture of human rights, democracy, gender equality, inclusion, and peace.

He highlighted other goals, including prosperity, security, and safety for all citizens, as well as mechanisms to promote and defend the continent’s collective security and interests.

While commending several African leaders for their commitment to the blue economy initiative, Adalikwu noted that their financial capabilities were limited in achieving their goals.

He emphasised the necessity of involving private investors and multilateral organisations in stakeholder interactions for a quicker and more professional approach to managing waterways.

He pointed out that the Integrated High-Speed Train Network programme of the AU, which aims to connect all African capitals and commercial centres to facilitate the movement of goods and reduce transport costs, requires the intermodal support of a sustainable water transportation system.

This, he argued, would further strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Adalikwu reiterated MOWCA’s commitment to collaborating with the AfDB and other organisations to promote viable commercial activities across all spheres of the marine space.