By Godwin Oritse
The management of the of the West and Central Africa Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Abuja MoU) led by its Secretary General Mrs.
Mfon Ekong Usoro visited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to acquaint the agency on the activities of the Abuja MoU, achievements, challenges and the need for the Agency’s support for it to adequately deliver on its mandate.
The Abuja Mou team was receiced by NIMASA’s Director – General Mr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi who assured the team of its support.
In a detailed presentation made by the Secretary General during the visit, Usoro said that the Abuja MoU was established in October, 1999 in Abuja by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Maritime Authorities of Coastal States in the West and Central Africa Region including South Africa and operates under a cooperative agreement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The Abuja MoU she emphasized covers 22 countries in the Western Seaboard of Africa.
The mission of the Abuja MoU she further stated was to develop a system of harmonized Port State Control Inspection Procedure for the region aimed at the reduction of substandard shipping, prevention of marine pollution and improvement of living and working conditions of seafarers on board ships.
She explained that Port State Control was the inspection of foreign ships visiting the port of another country with the purpose of the inspection being to determine and establish the compliance level of the ships with relevant international conventions and codes governing maritime safety, marine pollution and the general condition of the seafarers aboard ships.
She enumerated the risks associated with inefficient Port State Control regimes to include concentration of substandard ships in the region, higher incidents of marine accidents resulting to loss of lives and property, damage to the environment etc.
Mrs Usoro who was one time Director General of NIMASA stressed that adequate funding was critical for the success of the Abuja MoU; so it behooves on Nigeria and member countries that are signatories to the MoU to live up to their financial obligations.
The Secretary General noted that the Abuja MoU Secretariat provides support for member states to achieve the minimum standard inspection rate of 15% per country.
She revealed that from January – May 2010, 109 inspections have been carried all on foreign going vessels adding that the Mou is also particular about e training of Port State Control Officers, I
She stated that the office accommodation of the Abuja Mou in Lagos is in urgent need of renovation and furnishing just as there are dues that are awaiting payment.
The Director General of NIMASA during the interactive session stated that the visit of the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU has broadened his knowledge adding that the agency is prepared to willing to provide both technical and financial support for the success of the Abuja MoU.
He further stated that considering the complementary role the Abuja MoU plays to the Agency, provisions will be made in the 2012 budget to cater for the Abuja MoU.
He stressed the need for regular interface with the Abuja MoU by having a staff of the Agency not below the rank of a Deputy Director to liaise with the Secretary General to discuss issues of mutual benefits to both organizations; a decision that was seen as laudable.
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Abuja Mou solicits NIMASA support