DANTSOHO CALLS FOR UNIFIED PORT STATE CONTROL TO STRENGTHEN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA MARITIME SAFETY

DANTSOHO CALLS FOR UNIFIED PORT STATE CONTROL TO STRENGTHEN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA MARITIME SAFETY
By prince Benson Davies

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has urged maritime nations in West and Central Africa to deepen cooperation on port regulation and safety oversight. He said a more coordinated approach to Port State Control will improve efficiency, raise compliance levels, and make the region’s ports more competitive globally.

Dantsoho spoke in Abuja at the opening of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding Regional Workshop for Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Port State Control. The event marked the formal launch of activities under the Abuja MoU and was organised with support from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The theme of the workshop is “Future-Ready Port State Control Regime: Leadership, People, Governance and Performance for Safer Maritime Systems.”

He told participants that the future of shipping in the region depends largely on how well member states build strong institutions and align their rules. According to him, harmonised standards and well-trained personnel will reduce substandard shipping, enhance safety, and position African ports to meet evolving international requirements. He described the gathering as a strategic step toward closer collaboration among maritime authorities in the Abuja MoU zone.

The NPA boss said no country can achieve maritime safety alone, which is why joint enforcement and information sharing must be prioritised. He explained that when inspection standards are consistent across borders, shipping lines have greater confidence in the region and trade volumes improve. He added that investment in people and systems will determine how quickly the region adapts to new global shipping demands.

Dantsoho acknowledged the support of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, noting that the partnership has provided technical resources needed to strengthen regulatory institutions. He said such collaborations are vital for upgrading inspection capacity and sustaining safety programmes across West and Central Africa.

He also recognised the leadership of the Abuja MoU for providing direction to the regional regime. He specifically mentioned the Chairman of the Abuja MoU, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, who is The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, and the Vice-Chairman, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. He said their commitment has helped keep Port State Control high on the regional agenda.

The NPA Managing Director further commended the Abuja MoU Secretariat under the leadership of Captain Sunday Umoren. He said the Secretariat has been consistent in promoting compliance with international conventions and in driving initiatives that improve safety and environmental protection in the sub-region.

Concluding, Dantsoho expressed optimism that the decisions from the workshop will translate into better cooperation, stronger enforcement, and improved port performance. He said the Abuja MoU remains central to ensuring that vessels calling at regional ports meet required safety, security and environmental standards.

The Abuja Memorandum of Understanding is the regional agreement on Port State Control for West and Central Africa. It provides the framework for member states to inspect foreign ships in their ports to verify compliance with international maritime laws on safety, security and pollution prevention.