The Chairman of the Association of
African Maritime Administration (AAMA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has called for
increased representation of the continent on the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), Council and its Secretariat.
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From R-L Mr. Juvenal Shiundu, a Director in IMO
from Kenya, Chairman AAMA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, The Secretary General of the
IMO, Mr. Kitack Lim, Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr.
Bashir Jamoh and Emma Alfred and Assistant Director in NIMASA during a meeting
with the Secretary General of the IMO at the Organisation’s Headquarters in
London.
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Dakuku who made the appeal when he led a
delegation of some members of AAMA Executive Committee to meet with the IMO
Secretary General, Mr. Kitack Lim at the Organization’s Headquarters in London,
said that there was the need for Africa’s proportionate representation to
commensurate with the size of the continent’s membership of IMO.
According to the AAMA Chairman, “you
will agree with me that the number of African Nations at the council of the IMO
is disproportionate to the size of the continent’s representation at the global
maritime body, therefore to drive Africa’s maritime sector development agenda,
there is need for a proportionate and effective representation of the continent
in council and at the secretariat”, he said.
Dr. Dakuku who is also the Director
General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
noted the various initiatives embarked upon by the AAMA leadership including
cooperation by the member nations in capacity building, to impact on the
continent’s maritime sector.
While commending the IMO for the
technical support so far extended to members on the African continent, Dr
Dakuku solicited for a Memorandum of Understanding between the IMO and AAMA to
have an integrated position, adding that this would aid a lot of African
countries needing technical support.
In his response, the IMO Secretary
General, His Excellency Mr. Kitack Lim commended the African Maritime
Administrations for their high level organization and a proactive leadership of
AAMA with a drive towards ensuring that Africa Maritime sector remains viable.
He urged African Nations to continue
working closely to remain a formidable block that would be of influence in
decision making at the IMO.
Mr Kitack Lim noted that he is from a
developing country despite the recent successes of his home country so
appreciates the African position. He pledged to continue to champion greater
assistance to developing countries so they will benefit more from global
maritime trade. He promised to Liaise with technical staff of IMO and get back to
AAMA on the various requests made.
The AAMA delegation that accompanied Dr
Dakuku include the Director General of Ghana Maritime Authority Mr. Kwame
Owuaru, CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Mr. Sobantu
Tilayi, others include the Executive Director Finance and Administration,
NIMASA, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, the chairperson of African Maritime Advisory Group
(AMAG), Azara Prempeh and Phimulani
Myeni of South Africa.
Mr. Juvenal Shiundu, a Director in IMO
of Kenya origin and Mr. William Azuh, Head of IMO technical section for Africa
joined the Secretary General of IMO to receive the AAMA delegation.
The AAMA team also recently met with
representatives of African countries at the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO), under the auspices of African Maritime Advisory Group (AMAG) at the IMO
Headquarters in London.
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