The Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Port State Control for West and Central African Region and the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) held an intensive ethics and integrity leadership training for Port State Control Officers in the Abuja MoU region from June 10 to 11, 2024. The training aimed to fortify the officers’ roles in upholding international standards and combating corruption in the maritime industry.
Key stakeholders, including the Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, The Gambia, Hon. Ebrima Sillah (Chairman of Abuja MoU), and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria, Hon. Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola (Vice Chairman of Abuja MoU), the representative of the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the President of Women in Maritime Africa, the President of Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association Nigeria, and others, attended the opening session of the training. The training highlighted the importance of the PSCOs compliance with the code of good conduct in line with ‘(MSC-MEPC.4/Circ.2 ‘CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR PORT STATE CONTROL OFFICERS CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE REGIONAL MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEM ENT ON PORT STATE CONTROL’ which forms an annex to every Resolution on PROCEDURES FOR PORT STATE CONTROL’. Member States were also advised to incorporate consequence management as an integral part in the fight against unethical practices and corruption.
Member States were further advised on the need to familiarized and implement IMO’s guidance circular to implement and adopt procedures against maritime corruption ‘GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT AND ADOPT PROCEDURES AGAINST MARITIME CORRUPTION (FAL5.CIR.48) which includes the need to establish penalties that are effective, proportionate and dissuasive; and ensure that these penalties are applied to prevent corruption incidents. The training also emphasized gender balance in training, and the need for collaboration to achieve both professional and personal growth. Port State Control Officers were encouraged to recommit to the fundamental principles of good practice, upholding the core values of the Abuja MoU, which are Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Communication, Teamwork, Technology, Integrity, Safety, Security, and Excellence. (PRACTTISSE).
This training underscored the commitment of the Abuja MoU and MACN to maintain integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards in the maritime sector, ensuring that all participants play a pivotal role in combating maritime corruption.
