November 06, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, in Lagos, declared open the 43rd Annual Conference and 18th Managing Director’s Roundtable of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
Represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the President charged African countries to collaborate in the interest of the region since the maritime sector is not only central to the facilitation of trade but also to the total integration of Africa for even development.
The ongoing conference with the theme, “The Role of Ports in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”, is being held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
Speaking at the event, the President said his government believes in the necessity of infusing information technology into public management to aid transparency and ease business processes.
He added that the administration is giving the Nigerian Ports Authority all the backing necessary to fast-track the operationalisation of the Port Community System, which is a precursor to the implementation of the National Single Window.
According to him, “We are persuaded that full automation is the only way to go if we plan to remain competitive in the global maritime industry.”
On the sidelines, before delivering the President’s speech, the Minister reiterated the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing ports where necessary.
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