Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 25 September 2019: Maritime transport sector plays an integral part in Africa’s infrastructure Development hence need for it to be prioritized under the corridor approach of PIDA PAP 2, a team of experts in the sector said during the second edition of PIDA Policy Dialogue, that is currently underway in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea held this week.

The policy dialogue which is being held from 24-26 of September 2019 is the second of its kind, bringing together 450 experts from Member States, media, entrepreneurs, private sector, the young and women to discuss way forward in preparation for the next phase of PIDA.

According to the African Union Commission Director for Infrastructure and Energy, Mr. Cheikh Bedda, the Maritime transport sector is crucial for socio-economic development hence should not be left out on PIDA PAP 2.

Further, Mr. Bedda pointed out that there was need for member states to take concrete actions to ensure the growth of the sector. It was pointed out that 10 countries in Africa have ratified the Maritime Transport Charter despite most member and head of states having signed the Maritime Transport Charter.

Member countries were encouraged to claim ownership and commit to promoting the ratification of the charter. It was therefore recommended that there was need for efficiency and member states to take concrete action in ensuring the ratification and inclusion of maritime transport in their countries.

On implementing the maritime transport, there were was consensus to bring on board the private sector and member states not to reinvent the wheel by learning best practices working in collaboration with member states who have done it before.

On her part, Dr. Raissa Ada Allogo, Maritime Expert within the African Union Commission Department of infrastructure and Energy, “Despite water playing a crucial part in the continent, it only occupy 2 percent of PIDA Projects,” Dr. Ada Allogo stated.

As such an appeal was made on the need to include the maritime transport sector in the corridor approach of PIDA PAP 2 with the African Union Commission leading the process.
The 2019 PIDA Policy Dialogue, on its second day today, is being held under the theme “Commitment of AU member states for accelerated development of regional and continental infrastructure,” and organized by African Union Commission jointly with African development bank, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the republic of Equatorial Guinea and is aimed at facilitating the implementation of PIDA and get a consensus on the development process of the second phase of PIDA.
The Dialogue intends to build on the relative achievements and the momentum created in the first edition to continue to engage stakeholders on the effective delivery of PIDA on the continent.