By Eguono Odjegba

 The Secretary of Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr Paul Adalikwu has secured the support of Equatorial Guinea for the proposed regional cabotage regime that aims at deepening investment and employment opportunities for African entrepreneurs and professionals in the maritime industry.

Adalikwu who was speaking during an audience with  the country’s Prime Minister, Francisco Pascual Obama Asue and Transport Minister Rufino Ovono Ondo Engonga, said Africa has potential to produce qualified seafarers as the first choice for employment in the continent’s maritime industry. 

He explained that the MOWCA’s Regional Maritime Development Bank  (RMDB) which is aimed at bridging identified  gaps would promote sustainable investments and employments in the West and Central African countries.

The MOWCA SG urged littoral countries in the region to invest in maritime human capital development by committing resources to training youths and the retraining of seafarers to meet the market demands of Africa and the rest of the world.

He identified fishing, ship repairs, ship building, and attraction of maritime related industries for production of life jackets, fishing nets, outboard engines and other equipment as opportunities for entrepreneurs.

While reminding the Equatorial Guinea authorities on the need to avert impending shortage of African seafarers onboard modern vessels, Adalikwu added that increased production of qualified seafarers will go a long way in reducing poverty and the promotion of productivity. 

To this end, he encouraged the authorities to enroll their youth at the Regional Academy of Science and Technology, Côte d’Ivoire which is an organ of MOWCA.

Responding, the Equitorial Guinea leader pledged work with MOWCA on the pursuit of cabotage regime, and to sign up for the regional maritime bank.

The PM also pledged to participate fully in MOWCA activities and engage in technical collaboration in areas like port development, fisheries, capacity building, maritime transportation and allied areas.