Dantsoho Backs Five-Year Maritime Safety Programme to Strengthen West, Central Africa Port State Control
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening maritime safety and regulatory compliance across West and Central Africa through a new five year Port State Control capacity-building programme.
Speaking at the inaugural launch of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)–Lloyd’s Register Foundation Port State Control Capacity Building Programme in Lagos on Monday, Dantsoho described the initiative as a significant milestone in efforts to enhance institutional capacity, maritime governance and effective implementation of Port State Control across the 22 member states of the Abuja MoU.
He said the programme, supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, comes at a crucial time for the region, particularly following Nigeria’s re-election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council and its current presidency of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip maritime administrations with the knowledge, tools and strategic perspectives needed to improve compliance with international maritime conventions, strengthen regulatory oversight, promote maritime safety and security, and protect the marine environment.
Dantsoho noted that the workshop marks the first strategic intervention under the Abuja MoU Port State Control Strengthening Programme, launching a five-year transformation agenda built on four key pillars: leadership and regulatory harmonisation; inspector development and workforce excellence; governance, integrity and quality assurance; and data, performance and regional cooperation.
He said the programme aligns with the Abuja MoU’s vision of ensuring that by 2030 all 22 member states actively conduct Port State Control inspections, at least 16 countries attain the 15 per cent inspection benchmark, inspector competency is significantly strengthened, governance and integrity systems are enhanced, and member states are better prepared for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).
Describing the initiative as a call to action, Dantsoho urged member states to work collectively to bridge capacity gaps, standardise inspection processes, protect seafarers and coastal communities, and eliminate substandard shipping from the region’s waters.
He emphasised that the workshop provides a platform for maritime administrators to exchange knowledge, share best practices and strengthen regional cooperation in building a safer, cleaner and more resilient maritime sector.
The NPA boss also commended the Chairman of the Abuja MoU, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of The Gambia; the Vice-Chairman and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; and the Abuja MoU Secretariat led by Captain Sunday Umoren for sustaining the regional initiative.
He urged participants to actively engage in the workshop and renew their commitment to advancing the Abuja MoU’s mission of safer shipping, cleaner seas and sustainable maritime systems across West and Central Africa.
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