By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
To ensure improved ocean governance for robust blue economy in the continent, African Navies have been called upon to embark on strong collaborative efforts, resource sharing, developing expertise, increased funding and efficient use of technology.
The call was made by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) during the closing ceremony of the first virtual Sea Power for Africa Symposium held at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday.
Magashi represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Mr Musa Istifanus stated that deliberations in the Symposium revealed some critical issues confronting effective ocean governance such as gaps in the Maritime Domain Awareness
infrastructures in various regions, inadequate maritime legal provisions as well as weak resource sharing framework for improved hydrographic capabilities.
The Minister said the limitations would imperatively need to be addressed in order to improve the utility of Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructures.
He further identified with the position that the future of blue economy in Africa is intricately tied to effective ocean governance which is achievable through robustly integrated Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure.
While enjoining participants to gear up efforts towards effectively implementing the resolutions which emanated from intense deliberations during the Symposium, General Magashi affirmed that the objectives of the Seapower for Africa Symposium 2021 have been realized.
Furthermore, the Minister brought to fore the need for political leaders to place high premium on the maritime sector and relevant stakeholders in order to enhance cooperation in the management of Africa’s maritime spaces.
Similarly, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo while delivering the vote of thanks stated that Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) infrastructure constitutes a veritable force multiplier which offers naval forces invaluable leverage that enables them optimize the deployment of their platforms to effectively secure their maritime environment for sustainable economic development.
The CNS affirmed that the proceedings in the Symposium have identified viable concepts and lines of action to be taken some of which include the development of framework for resource sharing through joint utilization of survey infrastructure and manpower towards optimizing our hydrographic capabilities, the integration of sovereign camera surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities into the MDA architecture as well as the adoption of Ship Rider Agreement.
Others include the need to facilitate the development of a mechanism to detect and prosecute cases of toxic waste dumping in African maritime space as well as the need to sensitize political leaders to formulate robust and all-encompassing national maritime strategy to improve ocean governance. The implementation of these lines of action he said would clearly invigorate the determination to emplace a safe, secure and enabling maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.
The CNS expressed conviction that the outcome of the Symposium would contribute in no small measure to the improvement of ocean governance towards fostering the rapid growth of blue economy in Africa in the coming years.
It could be recalled that the Sea Power for Africa Symposium commenced virtually on 30 November 2021 at the Naval Headquarters Abuja. The Symposium offered a veritable platform for African maritime nations to congregate and cooperate to address maritime challenges facing the continent.
