Safe inland waterways capable of boosting blue economy potentials – MOWCA, SG

Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA),  Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has highlighted the economic significance of safe inland waterways ferry services during the recently concluded Regional Workshop on Safety of Inland Waterways and Passenger Ferries in Libreville, Republic of Congo.

He emphasised that Africa’s marine resources have the capacity to drive economic growth through safe and efficient transportation along coastal areas, provided safety measures are strictly adhered to.

Addressing the workshop’s participants, Dr. Adalikwu underscored the need for governments to prioritise safety standards to prevent accidents and loss of life. He identified several causes of marine mishaps, including unserviceable crafts, overloading, inadequate use of life jackets, adverse weather conditions, and wrecks along navigable channels. Dr. Adalikwu urged African governments to invest in comprehensive training for crew members and staff, both onshore and offshore, to enhance safety practices.

Highlighting the environmental impact, Dr. Adalikwu suggested recycling marine wrecks for economic gain after their removal to preserve the marine ecosystem. He emphasised the urgency for all levels of government to enforce safety regulations rigorously, particularly in light of reported fatalities resulting from non-compliance, such as travelling at night without adequate lighting.

Dr. Adalikwu expressed optimism that with improved education, awareness, and enforcement backed by necessary resources, the maritime sector can achieve safety standards comparable to the aviation industry, where zero accident years are not uncommon across West and Central Africa.

The workshop, held from July 15 to July 18, 2024, attracted participants from nine countries and featured contributions from international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF). Key figures present included Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima of the Congolese Transition Government and Minister Loic Moudouma Ndinga of Gabon’s Ministry of Transport, Merchant Marine and the Sea, alongside representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The event, moderated by maritime experts Capt. Sidney Direndi and Chief Agu Chukwuemeka Cajetan, included insightful presentations by Dr. Anish Hebbar of the World Maritime University, Capt. Dallas Lareya of the IMO, and Capt. Mohammed Drissi of the IMRF. Discussions focused on legislative improvements, risk management, and best practices for enhancing safety on inland waterways and passenger ferries across the region.

A communique issued at the workshop’s conclusion called for enhanced training programs and strengthened safety culture among stakeholders in the inland waterway sector. It also advocated for the adoption of international maritime standards, the establishment of digital incident reporting systems, and the implementation of robust contingency plans.

Moving forward, MOWCA and its partners are poised to collaborate on capacity-building initiatives and strategic engagements with funding institutions to bolster safety and navigation on Africa’s inland waterways, aligning with the Libreville Action Plan.

Participating countries included Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Togo.