The Secretariat of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Maritime Administration of the Republic of Congo, organized the Abuja MoU 14th Port State Control Committee Meeting (PSCC14), 25th Anniversary, and the 5th Ministerial Conference (MC5) from 10th to 13th September 2024.
The hybrid meeting was attended by representatives from fifteen of the twenty full Member States, alongside several Observers.
Key Highlights and Decisions:
- Approval of Observer status for the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Regional Maritime University, Accra, Ghana, and Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Nigeria.
- Emphasis on the ratification and domestication of all relevant conventions and protocols of the Abuja MoU by Member States.
- Mandate for the quarterly and annual collation of ship call data from Member States to provide the necessary indices for determining the number of foreign ship calls and accurately computing inspection percentages.
- Proper implementation of the New Inspection Regime (NIR) to prioritize high-risk vessels for inspection and ensure efficient resource allocation.
- Member States’ responsibility to fully equip Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) with necessary equipment, online capabilities, adequate PPE, and safe platforms for effective inspections.
- Alignment of fees and penalties for inspections with national laws and international standards, including the adoption of “no fees on initial inspection, fees on follow-up/revisit inspections” across the region.
- Continuous collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), other MoUs, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the achievement of Abuja MoU’s objectives.
- Investment in training, capacity building, and the promotion of ethical practices within the port State control regime.
- Strong focus on technological advancement to enhance port State responsibilities across the region.
On behalf of the Chairman of Abuja MoU, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of the Republic of The Gambia, and Vice-Chairman, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Secretariat extends its gratitude to the government of the Republic of Congo for hosting the 14th PSC Committee Meeting, 25th Anniversary celebration, and 5th Ministerial Conference.