PMAWCA 2025: Interconnected Africa must unite for port development – NPA  Dantsoho

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has highlighted Africa’s geographical and economic prospects, in the maximisation of West and Central Africa’s ports potentials.

Dantsoho made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) 45th Annual Council in Pointe-Noire, Congo.

In his capacity as PMAWCA President, Dantosho expressed confidence that the sub-region’s ports are poised to face future challenges, citing the enthusiasm and goodwill displayed during the meeting.

Onyemekara

Represented by General Manager Corporate Affairs Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Dantsoho said the meeting’s resolutions will inform policy and boost government action across member states.

The NPA boss stated, “On behalf of all of us at PMAWCA, we thank you immensely for lending your time and expertise to advancing the frontiers of trade and prosperity by deploying your efforts, energies and experience to formulate ideas that will enable us, as a sub-region, to maximize the potentials of our maritime sector.

“I have always looked forward to a time in the life of the African community when we all collaborate and act in good faith in pursuit of the greater good of our dear Africa.

“Judging from the goodwill, enthusiasm and altruism that pervaded the technical sessions and meetings – as evidenced by the robust cross-fertilization of ideas, I am persuaded that the Ports of West and Central Africa are poised to face the future with confidence.”

He stressed that Africa’s geographical and economic realities require stronger integration and cooperation, given the rapidly changing global maritime landscape.

Dantosho assuming office as the first Nigerian President of PMAWCA in November 2024

Dantsoho thanked the Republic of Congo for hosting the Council, and praised PMAWCA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Koffi Jean Marie, the Port of Pointe-Noire team, and other partners for their outstanding work.

He also commended Directors-General and Chief Executives of member ports for their remarkable unity and contributions.

Assuring participants of the implementation of the Council’s key decisions, he stated:

“This convergence of West and Central African talent to generate ideas for optimizing opportunities inherent in our maritime and demographic endowments will not only give direction to policy formulation, but will embolden government action, as the decisions and the communique arising from this meeting will be given the seriousness they deserve.”

As delegates prepared to leave, Dantsoho encouraged them to keep collaborating, quoting Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”