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ECOWAS, AU Push Green Ports Agenda to Cut Maritime Emissions in Africa
ECOWAS, AU Push Green Ports Agenda to Cut Maritime Emissions in Africa
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union have stepped up efforts to drive Africa’s transition to sustainable maritime systems, convening a high-level continental workshop in Abuja to align strategies on green ports development and maritime decarbonization.
The two-day Continental Validation Workshop on Green Ports Guidelines and Maritime Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction brought together senior policymakers, maritime institutions and technical experts from across Africa at the ECOWAS headquarters to deliberate on the implementation of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter and strengthen the continent’s response to climate challenges in the maritime sector.
Opening the session, ECOWAS Director of Transport Chris Appiah stressed the need for Africa’s maritime industry to adapt to global sustainability trends without compromising trade efficiency and development priorities.
“Efficiency, operational capacity and trade facilitation must remain at the core of Africa’s response, even as the continent advances towards greener maritime systems,” he said while speaking on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.
Appiah reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening maritime governance, upgrading port infrastructure and supporting member states in building resilient and competitive transport systems.
From the continental perspective, the Head of Maritime Transport at the African Union Commission, Raissa‑Julie Ada Allogo, called for stronger coordination among African countries to ensure the continent speaks with one voice in global maritime negotiations.
“This is the time for Africa to speak with one voice to ensure that the transition towards decarbonization remains inclusive, realistic and aligned with the capacities of our Member States,” she said.
Allogo highlighted the importance of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, describing it as a key instrument for modernising maritime governance and strengthening cooperation across African maritime institutions.
Regional maritime organisations also weighed in on the discussions. The Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Paul Adalikwu, said green port development should be seen not only as an environmental necessity but also as a strategic investment that could enhance efficiency and competitiveness across African ports.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), Kassim Kaziba Mpaata, urged African countries to strengthen maritime capacity in order to reduce dependency on external systems and better withstand global disruptions.
Adding a regulatory perspective, the Secretary-General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, Sunday M. Umoren, stressed that adherence to international maritime standards is critical to maintaining Africa’s role in global shipping networks and avoiding higher operational costs.
Development partners also reaffirmed support for the initiative. Speaking on behalf of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Bekele Essete Abebe described ports as the backbone of global supply chains and emphasised that investments in sustainable and resilient port infrastructure are essential for Africa’s economic transformation.
“Ports remain the backbone of global supply chains, and investing in sustainable and resilient port infrastructure is central to Africa’s economic transformation and climate response,” she said.
Technical sessions during the workshop focused on validating a Handbook and Guidelines on Green Ports in Africa, developed through consultations across member states. The framework identifies priority actions including renewable energy integration, electrification of port operations, digitalisation, emissions monitoring, climate resilience and adoption of cleaner fuels.
Experts noted that the transition to green ports should be viewed not simply as an environmental initiative but as a broader economic and operational transformation that can improve efficiency, strengthen trade competitiveness and enhance resilience across African maritime systems.
The workshop continued with working sessions aimed at consolidating member states’ inputs and developing a coordinated roadmap for implementing the guidelines across the continent.
Officials said the outcome of the meeting is expected to strengthen Africa’s maritime governance framework, improve port performance and position the continent as a proactive actor in the global shift toward sustainable and decarbonised maritime transport.
ECOWAS, AU Push Green Ports Agenda to Cut Maritime Emissions in Africa
FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, the deployment of technology to strengthen border security, and the entrenchment of financial integrity across public institutions.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Haruna Yahaya, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that reforming the nation’s correctional system remains a top priority, stressing that the focus must extend beyond incarceration to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.
“Government has a duty of care to its citizens. Even where freedom is restricted by law, those in custody must be treated with dignity and given opportunities to return to society better than they came,” he said.
He noted that the shift from the Prisons Act to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act marked a deliberate transition toward a system that prioritizes reformation over mere detention.
On border management and internal security, the Minister disclosed that the Correctional Information Management System (CIMS) now contains over 50 million records compiled from operations at seaports and airports, with ongoing integration of land border data.
According to him, the system enhances the government’s ability to detect irregularities and prevent unauthorized entry, aligning with modern security strategies that prioritize proactive measures over reactive responses.
“We are building systems that can stop problems before they happen, not just respond after the damage is done,” he added.
Addressing financial governance, Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of strengthening internal controls across government institutions, noting that preventive mechanisms are more effective than post-incident audits.
“It is not enough to detect issues after they occur. The goal is to build systems that make such issues difficult to happen in the first place,” he said.
He called on professional bodies such as ICAN to deepen their collaboration with government, particularly in areas of revenue assurance, transparency, and institutional accountability, while also encouraging stronger public-private partnerships to enhance efficiency and boost investor confidence.
On infrastructure, the Minister highlighted the need to expand fire and rescue services nationwide, pointing out that innovative funding models, including private sector participation, would be crucial to achieving this goal.
Tunji-Ojo also congratulated ICAN on its leadership and its upcoming West Africa Accountants Conference 2026 scheduled for December 2026, assuring the institute of government support. He further commended the increasing representation of women in professional leadership, describing it as a positive sign for the future.
Earlier, ICAN President Haruna Yahaya applauded the Ministry’s ongoing reforms and proposed the creation of a Joint ICAN–Ministry Financial Integrity and Revenue Assurance Task Force.
He explained that the initiative would target key areas including revenue assessment within the Nigeria Immigration Service, payroll analysis across uniformed services, and procurement risk review, with the aim of reducing leakages and strengthening accountability across government operations.
FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems
Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Katsina State have foiled a livestock rustling attempt and recovered 22 stolen animals in Jibia Local Government Area.
Police sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of April 12 following a distress call received at about 12:45 a.m. that suspected armed bandits had rustled livestock from neighbouring Niger Republic.
According to the sources, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia swiftly mobilised a joint team comprising police, military and community watch personnel to the area.
They added that the operatives strategically blocked the escape routes of the suspects and engaged them in a gun duel.
“The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to abandon the rustled animals and flee into the bush,” the sources said.
The sources disclosed that all 22 sheep and goats were recovered intact during the operation.
They noted that the area has been cordoned off, while aggressive clearance operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Further developments will be communicated as investigations continue, the sources added.
Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina
Troops neutralise several terrorists in ambush operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised several Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:33 a.m. on April 13 when an ambush team of 202 Battalion deployed at Bravo Kilo sighted a terrorist crossing the parapet at a defensive company location.
According to the sources, the troops engaged and neutralised five of the suspect on sight.
The sources added that the operation is part of ongoing clearance and ambush missions aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement in the North-East theatre.
Troops neutralise several terrorists in ambush operation in Borno
FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
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