By: Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA) Monday hosted the 15th inter- sessional management working group of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.
The Abuja MoU is the regional Port State Control regime for West and Central Africa, comprising 22 member States and it is the legal document under which maritime authorities of countries of the region agreed to develop and implement a common mechanism for the respective port state control activities.
The Director of Maritime Security and Safety, Ebrima Jobe, disclosed that Port State Control is a key initiative under the Abuja MoU, which focuses on maintaining safety and compliance in maritime transport within the West and Central Africa regions.
“The group convenes periodically to assess progress, address technical issues, and plan future strategies for effective port state control,” he explained.
Mr. Jobe further explained that the meeting aimed to ensure that vessels comply with international safety standards to prevent accidents and protect lives at sea.
“It also promote adherence to environmental regulations to minimize pollution and safeguard marine ecosystems,” he added, stating: “Our region has seen significant advancements in Port State Control, including improved inspection regimes, the adoption of standardized reporting protocols, and enhanced regional cooperation. For instance, the target annual regional inspection rate of 15% ensures thorough scrutiny of vessels entering our ports.”
Despite these advancements, according to Jobe, challenges persist, stating that limited resources gaps in training and non- compliance by certain vessels pose obstacles to achieving comprehensive enforcement.
“To address these, we must emphasize continuous professional development of PSCOs, investment in inspection infrastructure and collaborate with international maritime organizations and other stakeholders,” he pointed out.
The Acting Director General of GMA, Binta Jallow-Ceesay, underscored Gambia’s commitment to the MoU and gave words of assurances for more collaboration to ensure the elimination of substandard ships while working towards ensuring maritime transport in “our region for the facilitation of trade”.
Mrs Ceesay asserted that capacity-building and investment in the country’s shipping industry is crucial to the realization of the full potentials that shipping has to offer the Gambian people, stating that it is in that spirit that the MoU’s capacity-building for Port State Control Officers is a key area.
She thanked the secretary-general and his team for their steadfastness and commitment to the implementation and effectiveness of the MOU.
For his part, Sunday Micheal Umoren, secretary-general of the Abuja MoU, said the management have, over the years, been trying to scout training opportunities for member States, adding that those opportunities were effectively utilized.
He urged members to be the mouthpiece of the Abuja MoU by political performance and outstanding performance.
