MOWCA Seeks Investment In Niger Delta’s Maritime Assets

The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has called for increased investment in the maritime assets and blue economy opportunities of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

MOWCA Secretary-General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, made the call when he received a delegation from the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) at the organisation’s secretariat in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Adalikwu said the Niger Delta, while widely recognised for its oil and gas resources, also possessed enormous opportunities in maritime transport, fishing, tourism, underwater mining and other ocean-based economic activities.

He described the region’s natural marine resources as a major economic advantage that could be transformed into sustainable development through strategic policies, effective planning and long-term investment.

According to him, stronger public-private partnerships could help attract foreign direct investment into the region, create jobs and accelerate economic development.

He noted that the Niger Delta’s waterways, coastal location and access to the Gulf of Guinea placed it in a strategic position to become a major hub for maritime trade, logistics and other blue economy activities.

Adalikwu said MOWCA was particularly interested in initiatives capable of strengthening regional maritime cooperation, developing the blue economy, improving infrastructure, promoting renewable energy and supporting sustainable economic growth across West and Central Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, NDCCITMA Board Secretary, Dr Solomon Edebiri, said the Niger Delta possessed extensive coastlines, waterways, ports and fishing resources that could drive employment, trade and industrial growth if properly developed.

Edebiri also identified opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, compressed natural gas (CNG), logistics, warehousing, packaging, export production, renewable energy and other maritime-related activities.

He said the chamber was seeking international technical cooperation, investment and strategic partnerships to help diversify the region’s economy away from its heavy dependence on hydrocarbons.

According to him, greater attention should be given to fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation and coastal infrastructure as part of efforts to build a more sustainable and diversified regional economy.

The delegation and MOWCA also identified potential areas of collaboration, including blue economy projects, maritime infrastructure, renewable energy, investment mobilisation, Gulf of Guinea regional cooperation, technical capacity building, maritime trade and logistics.

The parties further discussed opportunities to establish links with international development partners to support investment and infrastructure development across the Niger Delta.

The NDCCITMA delegation also invited MOWCA to participate in the inaugural Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit and Exhibition (NDEIS), scheduled to hold from September 15 to 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The three-day summit, being organised in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is expected to provide an investment platform for turning the region’s natural resources and economic potential into viable and bankable projects.

The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen the Niger Delta’s maritime economy, attract new investments and promote sustainable development across the region.