Federal Government has called on the rest of Africa to improve maritime activities which require more effort at strengthening regional commitment to eradicate the operation of sub-standard shipping and the protection of the marine environment.

Minister of Transport, Mr. Ibrahim Isa Bio, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adefeni Olaisade, made this call in Abuja yesterday during the 8th Intersessional Management Working Group on Legal Administrative and Financial Matters relating to the effective implementation of Abuja MOU (ISMWG8).

The MoU is aimed at fine-tuning the recommendation of ISMWG7 and present them to the 7th Committee Meeting of Abuja next month along with the second Ministerial Conference on Port Sate Control (PSC).

Bio said the Abuja MoU is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with International instruments on Maritime Safety and Security, Protection of the Marine Environment, as well as the improvement of working and living condition of the crew.

He said these should be tailored at enhancing the safety and security needs of the sub-region adequately in order to promote the general economic development.

The Minister, who is also the Chairman of ISMGW , noted that a successful and effective PSC regime is crucial to the realisation of the region's economic prosperity, safety of navigation, and cleaner marine environment.

He assured that Nigeria is "unequivocally committed to regional cooperation and integration in Africa, and will therefore continue to support the Abuja MOU to attain its noble objectives."