Maritime Stakeholders Promote clusters infrastructure development in African countries

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Stakeholders in Africa’s maritime sector have proposed that the development of Maritime Infrastructure in African countries should be conducted within the framework of maritime clusters and not mere physical infrastructure existing in isolation.

This is in view of the fact that in spite of the recent emphasis on development of maritime infrastructure in Africa which has seen many countries revamping and expanding existing port facilities, the continent commands only one per cent of world container traffic handled by developing economies.

The experts have blamed this continental underperformance on Africans’ tendency to embark on massive capital intensive infrastructure projects in isolation of complementary industries and countries with similar logistics requirements.

Therefore, they have advocated that African countries must turn their attention to development of maritime clusters utilizing innovations in maritime technology which takes account of the synergistic values embedded in the building of maritime infrastructure.

In dealing with these challenges, the former Chair, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Legal Committee, Dr Kofi Mbiah said that the scope of Africa’s maritime clusters must be made to encompass maritime transport, ports and terminals, rail connections, manufacturing and construction, boat and ship building, repair yards, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, fishery and communication systems.

The policy must also take account of international ocean governance, maritime spatial planning, quay technologies, integrated maritime security and surveillance with sustainable ocean use considerations.

Mbiah, while delivering a keynote lecture titled: Building an Efficient Maritime Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Africa’s Accelerated Economic Growth at the 3rd Lagos International Maritime Week, noted that Africa lagged behind in the comity of maritime nations due to the absence of a comprehensive maritime policy framework.

He said developing maritime infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth is only meaningful when it finds expression in a comprehensive maritime policy framework.

“The maritime policies of African countries must undergo a paradigm shift from dwelling on individual modes of transport and development in silos, to a new strategy that embraces a balanced and integrated, modally complementary transport system that takes account of sustainability and technological changes”, Mbiah said.

He observed that new ports must be developed with the future in mind. According to him, the new African port must be built taking cognizance of connectivity and access to multimodal transport systems which network appropriately with the hinterlands.

Advising on ways to improve Africa’s engagement in the maritime industry, the former President, Union of African Shippers’ Councils noted that development of Maritime Infrastructure in African countries should be reckoned within the framework of maritime clusters and not mere physical infrastructure existing in isolation.

Mbiah encouraged African countries to embrace collaboration in the development of maritime infrastructure which serve as the magnet attracting other businesses and infrastructure for employment generation and economic growth.

On her part, convener of the Lagos International Maritime Week, Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore called for collaboration among Africans to develop maritime infrastructure which encompasses plants and machinery at the parts, multi-modal system of transportation around the ports, inland dry ports to serve the hinterland, functional maritime education and training institution to develop relevant manpower and the development of maritime law and the adjudication process.

She added that the development of the maritime industry in Africa rests squarely on the shoulders of Africans, who must boldly define the vision for the industry in the continent, run with that vision and seek international cooperation to actualize the vision.

Edodo-Emore cited the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the establishment of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) and the location of the porposed Ibom Deep Seaport in the Inbom Industrial City as clear examples of how African’s should approach maritime infrastructure development.


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