Nigeria has solicited support from Ghana as the nation bid for the seat of Secretary General in the Maritime Organization for the West and Central Africa (MOWCA) forthcoming election.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi made the plea on Wednesday the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Benonita Bismarck with her delegation paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Amaechi said Nigeria has duly adhered and supported the organization, hence the need for Nigeria to be considered this time and as such should be considered for the post.
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, Bismarck, who was primarily, on a working visit to the Nigerian Shipper’s Council, stated that they are in Nigeria to strengthen collaborative ties between the two countries.
She added 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 Lone, Gambia and Liberia into MOWCA as the organization currently has only two anglophone countries with 17 being francophone.
She hoped that with the Minister’s support, these countries can be brought on board.
According to a statement by the Director of press and public relations, Eric Ojiekwe, the courtesy call had in attendance, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, and some NSC management team among others.
