Maritime Agencies
PORT STATE CONTROL: Equatorial Guinea Joins Abuja MoU
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
November 23, 2023, Equatorial Guinea finally became a member of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in West and Central Africa, otherwise known as the Abuja MoU.
This makes the central African nation the 20th member-state of the group.
Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Capt Sunday Umoren disclosed this in Lagos while exchanging views with Falcon Watch Online.
“It means we have two countries in the region left now for all the countries to subscribe as full members. The outstanding countries are the Arab Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Namibia. These are the countries that are yet to sign up,” the Abuja MoU boss said.
At the occasion, Capt Umoren explained, the Vice President and Minister of Transportation of Equatorial Guinea were present as witnesses.
“Also present were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, the South African Ambassador and the Cameroonian Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. They were in attendance to celebrate a wonderful day, a great celebration for Equatorial Guinea.”
On the significance of Equatorial Guinea joining the Abuja MoU, Capt who referred to it as a great day said it will be celebrated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), other MoUs worldwide and the maritime world because with the addition, there is an increase in the number of countries whose ports are now part of the watch dog regarding the propagation and insistence on safety in navigation.
“The port state regime is actually a safety net such that no substandard ships can trade within the regions and around the world”.
“If in a region you have countries that are not full members or not acceding to become full members, it means those countries will not be conducting port state inspection of ships. Substandard ships can easily visit those ports and come out. What does that mean? It means a weak link.”
He stated that substandard ships trading could actually get involved in accidents and spillage and if they are carrying oil, the marine environment will be polluted.
“So, coming into the Abuja MoU means that we are tightening the noose around the region.”
He was optimistic that by the time the remaining two countries join, it means all countries in the West and Central African region have agreed and signed to monitor their waters and their countries to ensure that no substandard vessels are sailing within the system.
“So, everyone will be happy because the probability of substandard vessels slipping through will almost be nill. This means safer seas, safer world for all.”
He said his organization is still engaging the few countries left in the region.
“We are engaging them. We’re quite hopeful that by next year, we will have all the countries in the region subscribe and acceed to full membership of Abuja MoU.”
Port State Control is the inspection carried out on visiting foreign ships to verify their compliance with international instruments on safety, pollution prevention and seafarers’ working and living conditions. It is a means of enforcing compliance in cases where the owner and flag state have failed in their responsibility to implement or ensure compliance.
The Port State can require deficiencies to be put right and detain the ship for this purpose if necessary. It is therefore also a Port State’s defense against visiting substandard ships.
The Secretariat is established to develop a system of harmonized Port State Control Inspection Procedures for the region with the aim of eliminating substandard ships. In pursuit of a strategic direction and with consistent alignment with the context of the organization through a risk-based approach, the Abuja MoU Secretariat is committed to continuous improvement of its quality management system in line with the International Organization for Standardization requirements (ISO 9001:2015) and the IMO Resolution A.686 (17), 1991.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, generally referred to as the Abuja MoU, is one of the nine regional MoUs established pursuant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A. 682 (17) of 1991. The Organization operates under a cooperative agreement with the IMO.
The Abuja MoU was established in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 22, 1999 as an inter-governmental organization comprising the Maritime Administrations of countries abutting the South Atlantic coast of Africa.
The regime covers 22 countries from Mauritania to South Africa.16 of these countries signed the MoU to establish the organization.
Countries that have completed the procedures and have become full members are Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo Brazil, Cote D’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo. Others are Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea- Conakry, Liberia and Nigeria.
Others are Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo.
Maritime Agencies
Dantsoho, NPA Boss, Inaugurates MWUN Headquarters Annexe, Pledges Port Infrastructure Upgrade.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the Federal Government strives to modernize and expand outdated facilities at the Tincan and Apapa ports which were built in 1977 and 1958 respectively, plans are underway to make similar infrastructure available to other seaports across the country. This is the commitment of President Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho disclosed this in Lagos, Wednesday, while commissioning the recently-built headquarters annexe of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). The need for modern port infrastructure, he noted, is to enable Nigeria maintain and drive efficiency and increase in cargo throughput in her port system.
From records, he observed, the country’s ports receive only 2 million containers annually, a far cry from what is obtainable in neighboring countries such as Ghana and Cotonou whose population cannot be compared with Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a country of more than 200 million people in population. Now, our port capacity today, from our own records, is that we’re only bringing 2 million containers to Nigeria. It’s not a true reflection of our population.
“So, we have to do what we can to ensure that we get more containers in a genuine way into Nigeria. We can’t say that they are getting more containers in Lome, Cotonou and Ghana but Nigeria is getting less. It doesn’t make sense at all.”
He implored all stakeholders including the MWUN to work harder to ensure that more containers are generated especially through exports as that is the only way to be more productive. It will ensure more youth employment and global recognition for Nigeria. This remains a major challenge.
He assured that the government is committed to improving these ports and building new ones.
“It’s not possible for us to grow and participate more in international trade by depending on very old ports. So, we need new infrastructures,” he stated.
“We need new ports. We are going to expand the Tin Can and Apapa the way it is. It’s going to be improved. “That is the commitment of Mr. President and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. In the not-so-distant future, you will see new events towards improving infrastructure in Apapa and Tincan. “Nigeria cannot be behind Cotonou or Ghana and other countries. It’s a very important challenge for us, but it should not be a challenge that only the federal government will face. It’s something that we are all stakeholders must give our best to ensure that Nigeria takes her proper position globally. ”
He called on maritime workers and other stakeholders to deepen their operations and processes through improved technology as this is the only way to position Nigeria to compete with other countries in the region and beyond.
Commending the MWUN leadership for the rapid transformation, Dantsoho pledged that the NPA is ever willing to offer support.
“I want to appreciate the leadership of my brother (MWUN PG). We look forward to cooperating with you because our objective, again, is to ensure that our own staff and officers, their welfare is number one, which will make them more productive. We are not going to play with that because we have had experience that when you motivate workers, you make them happy; you give them what it requires to be productive, they will be productive.” However, he called for more revenue so as to meet the demands of workers.
In his welcome remarks, MWUN President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, thanked Dr Dantsoho for making time to honour the Union with his presence, the first of its kind by any Managing Director of the NPA. No doubt,Comrade Adeyanju stated, the guesture demonstrates a workers-friendly disposition.
Describing the MWUN as an organised and reformed professional labour union, Adeyanju said: “We are no longer regarded as touts. We have been transformed to a standard. That era of thuggery, era of banging table, era of shutting down the port operation have been stopped under my command, ” he told the NPA MD.
Maritime Agencies
Matawalle Commends President Tinubu For Prompt Payment Of Pensions And Other Military Entitlements.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for the decisive action to ensure prompt payment of military salary increase with three months arrears. He has also received accolades for the release of funds for the payment of pension and other entitlements owed retired military personnel.
Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State, Defence, made the commendation while confirming that alerts regarding the three-month salary increase for military personnel have begun to be received.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed retirees will continue to receive critical attention. This initiative reflects the President’s dedication to enhance the living standards of those who have served the nation, he disclosed.
As stated in a statement released Thursday by Henshaw Ogubuike, the image maker of the Defence Ministry, the Minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who has been very committed in the actualization of these payments.
Dr. Matawalle urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that President Tinubu is fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
“Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the significant contributions of the Nigerian military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, the Minister reiterated the vital role these brave men and women play in ensuring the nation’s security.
He assured the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed forces of President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria, bolstered by the readiness and resilience of the military.
Maritime Agencies
NIWA Implores States To Collaborate To Achieve Safer Inland Waterways
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A passionate call has gone out to state governments on the need for increased collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enhance security and safety on inland waterways transportation.
NIWA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji made the call while speaking at a one-day consultative forum on safety and insecurities on inland waterways organized in Ilorin, Kwara State, by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum.
Speaking on the theme “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety in Ilorin, Kwara State”, Mr Oyebamiji drew attention to the pressing issues facing the inland waterways sector.
He emphasized the critical role of safety and security in fostering a thriving water transportation system.
The forum is apt, coming on the heels of the recent merchant boat tragedy incident in Ene community, Kupa South LG of Kogi State, Friday, November 29, which claimed many lives shortly after NIWA conducted a far-reaching public sensitization about safety on inland waterways.
Mr. Oyebamiji acknowledged the ongoing efforts of his agency to improve safety such as the recent unveiling of the transportation code for public use, the inauguration of several operational assets including survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry.
Safety campaigns, he told the forum, have been launched across all operational bases, targeting local communities in their native languages.
The NIWA CEO highlighted the support from the National Assembly, including the ongoing discussions on establishing coastal guards and the attention safety and security on inland waterways have received from the House of Representatives Committee on Inland Waterways.
Oyebamiji appealed to the Honourable Commissioners for Transportation across the littoral States in Nigeria to collaborate with his agency in areas such as training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development and financial empowerment. While the challenges are enormous and significant, he noted, they are surmountable through collective action.
The NIWA CEO expressed optimism for actionable and implementable outcomes from the forum, which he believes will contribute significantly to ensure safer and more secure inland waterways.
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