Monrovia, Liberia – The Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) Harbor Masters and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) Network concluded its 10th Annual Meeting in Monrovia on Thursday, with an unwavering appeal for increased cooperation and strategic action to tackle safety and security issues in regional ports.
At the end of the meeting, Captain Alpha Yayah Bangura, the harbor master of the Sierra Leone Port Authority and vice president of the Harbor Masters Networks, gave the formal conference resolution on behalf of the attendees.
In order to strengthen port safety and security standards in West and Central Africa, Captain Bangura emphasized the need for member ports to implement integrated policies and promote ongoing information sharing.
“This meeting has shown that just as our problems are common, so too are our answers. Stronger collaboration, group capacity-building, and a dedication to applying best practices throughout our port systems are the ways to go forward,” he said.
Neto Lighe, the commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, expressed his sincere gratitude to the country’s National Port Authority (NPA) for organizing what he called a crucial meeting for the future of regional security and trade.
He stated that since ports handle the bulk of the products that enter countries, port safety and security are essential and cannot be ignored. Citing Liberia’s Maritime Security Strategy as a pillar of both national and regional maritime defense, he reiterated the nation’s commitment to maritime security.
Jeans Marie Koffi, the PMAWCA Secretary General, praised the Liberian government for their hospitality and well-run conference. The PMAWCA secretary General also recognized the tireless efforts of the organizing committee and support staff who ensured the success of this year’s meeting.
He stressed the significance of Africa Ports’ development in establishing trade and commerce as the cornerstone of their nation’s development program.
Harbor Master Captain Samuel Lynch, speaking on behalf of the NPA, reiterated the need for ports to be able to supply the necessary equipment and logistics for revolutionary initiatives in order to establish ports as the entry point to their economies.
According to Captain Lynch, the National Port Authority is committed to turning the findings of the discussion into practical steps for ports that are better and more secure.
The Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Harbor Masters, and PFSOs Network were thanked on behalf of the host institution by Hon. James R. Bernard, Deputy Managing Director for Administration at the NPA, for choosing Liberia as this year’s host country.
The Monrovia summit, which commemorates ten years of cooperation between regional maritime authorities under the PMAWCA framework, emphasizes how crucial safe and effective port operations are to promoting economic growth in West and Central Africa.
