From Isaac Job, Uyo
Maritime institutions in partnership with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) have resolved to address multiple problems facing developments in the blue economy and maritime sectors in the West and Central Africa subregion.
This was captured in an 8-point communique issued at the end of the exchange visit by MOWCA culminating to a 4-day training workshop on the theme “Advancing Maritime Education and Training Across West and Central Africa held at Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in collaboration with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa respectively.
It was gathered that the workshop inaugural Exchange visit of Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) within the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) was attended by stakeholders, including the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) within the subregion and other key maritime stakeholders.
According to the communique read at the end of the training exercise, the stakeholders outlined the framework for collaboration amongst the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Regional Maritime University (RMU) Accra, Ghana and Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The partnership established a unified framework and cooperation in sensitive areas such as curriculum harmonization, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP), establishment of a MOWCA Coordinated Framework for Faculty and Student Exchange as well as shared use of Sea-Time Berths and Training Vessels.
Others include shared use of training facilities to cover library resources, workshops and simulators, joint research initiatives, funding for research and capacity building and promotion of bilingual proficiency (English and French).
The communique read in part: “Participating METIs resolved to accelerate the harmonization of their training curricula to reflect current updates in line with required standards.
“MOWCA shall facilitate a tripartite committee with membership from each METI to coordinate the process. This will pave the way for the mutual recognition of certificates and the global competitiveness of seafarers from the sub-region. This is in line with Article 8 of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, 2010.
“Mutual Recognition of Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP)”
In his closing remarks, the Acting Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Dr Kevin Okonna extended gratitude to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola for approval and support to take the international engagement.
Okonna also expressed gratitude to the Secretary General of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), HE Dr. Paul Adalikwu, and all the delegates for making the visit possible and a huge success.
He said the Academy has built lasting bridges of collaboration and strengthened bonds that will transcend borders, cultures, and institutions.
“By opening our facilities and sharing our experiences, we have opened pathways for lasting partnerships that will be further strengthened through subsequent exchange visits. It is clear that the future of maritime education and training in our region will be driven by synergy and unity of purpose.”
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