By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The Secretary General/Chief Executive of Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa, MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has called for urgent and sustained action to tackle the rising spate of ferry accidents across its 25 member states.

He pointed out that over 8,000 lives have been lost in ferry-related incidents within the sub-region in the last decade, with Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo being the hardest hit.

Fielding questions from the media at the just concluded two days regional ferry safety conference organised by the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, in collaboration with MOWCA and Interferrry Association, Adalikwu said the spate of ferry disasters prompted the body to engage the government of Gabon last year, following an accident which led to the dismissal of the Minister of Transport.

He said the engagement culminated in the successful Libreville plan of action, which forms part of ongoing safety reforms across the sub-region.

He explained that the partnership with the Lagos State Government through LASWA, Interferry and the International Ferry Organisation of Canada to bring the latest conference to Nigeria, seeks to raise awareness among Nigeria’s 36 states and develop actionable resolutions that would reduce ferry-related casualties in Nigeria and other member countries.

Addressing concerns about the harassment of seafarers, especially women, Adalikwu noted that it is working closely with the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, to implement measures that will ensure seafarer safety and welfare. “The IMO remains a global partner in helping us eliminate this menace”.

He said efforts are underway to rally support across the sub-region following Nigeria’s renewed bid for a seat on the IMO Category C Council.

“Nigeria last held the seat in 2011. With President Bola Tinubu’s approval and backing from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the country has launched a vigorous campaign for re-election”.