In a bid to enhance port state control activities, the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, plans to organise special training for Port Authorities in member states.

The Secretary-General, Abuja MOU, Capt. Sunday Umoren revealed this on last week as part of the future plans of the organization while speaking at the ongoing 12th meeting of the Intersessional Management Working Group (ISMWG) in Bangul, Gambia.

According to Umoren, there is also a need for more collaboration with Maritime Training Institutions that offer foreign-going courses for the commencement of proficiency certificate (CoP) on Port State Control Courses.

He, however, noted that the Abuja MOU has been organizing general trainings for Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) through liaison with International Maritime Organization (IMO) / International Labour Organization (IILO) and in sponsoring training courses, Pre-Concentrated Inspection  Campaign (CIC) training and the introduction of Quarterly Reports and news flyers.

“We are open to positive and innovative ideas to guide our deliverables and also in submitting the names of your Subject Matter Experts in Maritime-related activities as we need to create this database and also the list of Marine Services available in your country as we intend having these in our websites to  guide mariners requiring services for their vessels,” he said.

Earlier, the Abuja MOU Secretary-General conveyed the goodwill of Nigerian Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Director General of Nigerian Maritme Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; and the entire Nigerian maritime stakeholders.

The hybrid event had Nigeria, Gambia, and Benin representatives present onsite, while Angola and Gabon participated online.