The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has solicited the support of Ghana in Nigeria’s bid for the seat of Secretary General in the Maritime Organization for the West and Central Africa (MOWCA) forthcoming election. The Minister stated this Wednesday when the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Benonita Bismarck who is on a working visit to Nigerian Shippers’ Council with her delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja.
Amaechi explained to the delegation that Nigeria has duly adhered and supported the organization, hence the need for Nigeria to be considered this time for the post, a statement by the Director, Press & PR, Eric Ojiekwe disclosed.
He called on Ghana to provide Nigeria with the needed support as she will be hosting MOWCA’s next meeting scheduled for 26th – 30th July, 2021.Also, the Minister intimated them with Nigeria’s readiness to support the West African Maritime Bank and called on Ghana to key into the initiative. Earlier, the CEO, GSA, Benonita Bismarck, stated that they are in Nigeria to strengthen collaborative ties between the two countries, adding that with ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Zone, there is the urgent need for both nations to work on developing non-trade barriers and trade facilitations.
Speaking further, Bismarck informed the Minister on the need to bring Sierra Leone, Gambia and Liberia into MOWCA, as the organization currently has only two anglophone countries with 17 being francophone. She expressed hopes that with the Minister’s support, these countries could be brought on board. The courtesy call had in attendance, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, and some NSC management team among others.
