Lagos – The Sierra-Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) is to collaborate with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on capacity building of its personnel for effective Port State Control and training of seafarers.
This is contained in a statement by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Hajia Lami Tumaka, on Thursday in Lagos.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the Board of SLMA, Mr Lansana Dambuya, led a delegation of some Board members and Management of SLMA to NIMASA on a working visit,
He commended NIMASA for its capacity building initiative, saying that it was a model worthy of emulation.
Dambuya said that the SLMA thought it wise to partner with NIMASA, one of the leading Maritime Administrations in Africa, to seek areas of collaboration for the benefit of both countries.
The delegation also canvassed for the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIMASA.
The MoU will give opportunity for the exchange of ideas among staff to not only develop their capacities but also further cement the bond between both countries.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr.Dakuku Peterside, commended SLMA for embarking on the working visit and assured the delegation of NIMASA’s cooperation at all times.
Peterside, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Labour Services, Mrs Juliana Gunwa, stressed the need for collaborative efforts in order to ensure the growth and development of the maritime industry in Africa.
Tracing the history of the cordial relationship Nigeria has had with Sierra Leone, the director-general assured the delegation that the Agency would consider their requests and act accordingly for the benefit of both countries.
He urged countries of the Gulf of Guinea to join the fight against rising cases of piracy in the region.
“We are open more than ever before to collaboration and sharing of intelligence on issues relating to piracy and other crimes in order to rid our waters of the menace which has clearly become a danger to our collective prosperity,” the director-general said.
He welcomed the call for collaboration among maritime administrations.
Peterside added that they must always cooperate with each other for the benefit of securing the maritime environment and making it safe and secure for shipping activities to thrive. (NAN)