Over Fifty Thousand Vessels Landed in West Africa in 2021 – Abuja MoU

Sunday Umoren-led Abuja Memorandum of Understanding says staff training is responsible for over 50,000 vessel visitation in ports across West Africa in 2021.

The Director-General, Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, Umoren, made the statement on Monday during an address at the International Maritime Organisation set up for heads of maritime administrations in the West and Central African region in Lagos.

“Last year, 2021, we had about 52,000 vessels visiting the West African region.”

He said that the secretariat had achieved a milestone in training port-control officers who are the first line of both offence and defence in the battle against sub-standard shipping in the region.

Umoren stated that despite the group putting a minimum ship inspection at 15 percent, some countries in the region still found it challenging to meet up.

The purpose of the meeting in Lagos was to dialogue with policymakers to develop policies that work well with the maritime sector, according to Umoren.

“We are engaging the policymakers so that we will have knowledgeable policymakers and ensure we have maritime-friendly policies.”

He said the group’s objective is to eliminate any form of inefficient vessels.

“If a ship is leaving Nigeria and has issues along the line, the port control officer should naturally inform the next port of such vessel,” Umoren affirmed.

Umoren said that the body now operates a WhatsApp platform and body cameras to achieve adequate security on regional waters.

Low performance on Corrective Action Plan

“I want to use this opportunity to draw attention to an important work of International Maritime Organisation, especially in this region, which is the International Maritime Organisation member state,” added Head, Africa Section, Subdivision for Maritime Development Technical Corporation Division, William Azuh.

Saying, nearly 100 per cent of the maritime administrations in the region have been audited, and it’s a ‘fantastic result.’

However, actions on the Corrective Action Plans have been dismal, to say the least,” he claimed.

The Abuja MoU is a regional body controlled by states within the coastal states of West and Central Africa. It plays the role of developing and implementing relative port state control activities across the station.

It also ensures safety, security, and maritime protection against pollution.