Oron: Dr Paul Adalikwu, the Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), has emphasized the importance of regional collaboration to unlock opportunities in the maritime sector. He made these remarks during a regional exchange visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the four-day exchange visit revolves around the theme: ‘Advancing Maritime Education and Training Across West and Central Africa.’ Adalikwu highlighted the critical role of the maritime sector as the backbone of the economies in West and Central Africa, advocating for its development through regional cooperation.
Adalikwu reiterated MOWCA’s dedication to bridging gaps in maritime human capital by fostering collaboration among training institutions. He pointed out that the exchange visit marks a significant shift towards coordinated maritime capacity development in the regions.
He further noted that over 90 percent of trade in the regions is conducted by sea, and the ability to fully harness maritime benefits largely depends on the development of quality human capital. MOWCA remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance maritime capacity and institutional collaboration across member states.