Protecting marine Environ: MOWCA restates capacity to coordinate member states, collaborates with IHO

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) , Dr. Paul Adalikwu has restated the capacity of the body to coordinate it’s member countries in West and Central Africa on protecting maritime environment, enters a pact with the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).

Speaking at a joint signing ceremony between MOWCA and IHO in Abidjan on Friday January 17, 2025 Adalikwu said the establishment of a centre of excellence for hydrographic training will be viable only if considered to operate on a regional basis.

The SG told the IHO team led by Mr. John Nyberg a Director in the organisation that as a multilateral group having 25 ministers in charge of maritime across it’s member states, MOWCA has the capacity to sustain a viable Centre of Excellence involving all countries in West and Central Africa.

He disclosed that the MOWCA Secretariat with the signing of the partnership agreement, would set up a steering committee comprising of relevant stakeholders that would advance the cause of hydrography in West and Central Africa in line with the focus of the IHO.

Dr Adalikwu added that MOWCA is thrusting to support IHO in the implementation of globally acceptable standardisation in hydrography by working to attain the adoption of operational standards within the S-100 framework which enables the integration of various data bases within a single Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).

The SG added that part of his hydrographic goal is for seafarers from MOWCA member countries to be able to combine various data layers such as Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), detailed depth information and dynamic information on water level and currents to enhance situational awareness and decision-making.

Leader of the IHO delegation, Mr. Nyberg said his team came to Abidjan to interact with the relevant bodies and achieve better interaction for information sharing within their operational ecosystem.

He expressed the delight of the IHO leadership and their commitment to establish the centre of excellence to be sited in Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Seas (ARSTM), one of MOWCA’s higher institutions for maritime studies.

Given, Hydrographic standards are guidelines for collecting and using data about bodies of water to improve navigation safety and protect the marine environment.