Secretary General Ministry of Construction and Transport Mr. Gabriel Migire has said that at present the business of water transportation in the African continent has been due to many cargoes transported in the world coming from and coming to Africa.
Mr. Migire said this today, February 27, 2023, during the Meeting of the Institute involved in maritime transport issues (ISCOS), held at the Four Points hotel in Dar es Salaam.
“We as Africans have every reason to ensure that we have people who own water transport”.
In addition, he said that there is a challenge of lack of learning tools for the students studying at the Maritime College (DMI) when they finish the seafaring training.
“We need to have our instruments but we also need these instruments to do business because Africa is now being opened for business” said Mr. Migire.
“We in this region of East Africa and ISCOS member states have reason to make sure that we use the opportunity to participate in the African trade. As we open the African countries to each other, it does not mean that we allow other continents to come and do business in Africa, it is us African countries who have to ensure we use that opportunity” added Mr. Migire.
For his part, the Secretary General of ISCOS, Daniel Kiange has said that the time has come for Africa to be able to have transportation facilities to facilitate the transportation of goods abroad.
“Let’s have our own ships that can carry cargo to China, South Africa and elsewhere so that the money can stay in our region, and we can also create jobs for our young people,” said Kiange.
And the Executive Secretary of the African Shipowners Association (African Shipowners Association), Ms. Funmi Folorunso said that following the meeting they expect the ISCOS Member States to come up with a policy on ship ownership to support the shipping industry.
Godwin Isdore from Songoro Marine is one of the stakeholders who participated in the meeting, he said that participating in the meeting is to increase knowledge as well as build relationships with stakeholders from Iscos member countries, including from Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“If we look at Africa, one of the biggest businesses that is taking place is Shipping and as you can see the stakeholders have woken up and are saying that now is the time to own ships” Godwin said.
The Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS) is an institution involved in maritime transport issues which currently includes the countries of TANZANIA, KENYA, UGANDA, ZAMBIA and DRC.