ABUJA MOU: Seafarers’ Union Describes Captain Umoren’ s Appointment As Boost To Maritime Sector

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has described the appointment of Capt. Sunday Umoren, as the Secretary General, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central Africa Region as welcome development and a boost  to the  maritime sector .

 

This was contained in a letter of felicitation signed by the Secretary General of the union ,Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue, a copy made available to our correspondent on Tuesday.

 

The statement further described the Master Mariner as a successful player whose career span across many cultures and international exposures  onboard numbers of foreign going vessels thus earned him the enviable position.

 

The scribe noted that the appointment of the former Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards and Certification department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) new appointment would be strategic for the maritime industry.

 

He also assured the mariner of the Union’s unalloyed maximum support and cooperation that will make him excel in  new engagement.

 

The statement reads :I write on behalf of our great Association under the leadership of Engr. Bob Joseph Yousuo to felicitate with you on your new appointment as the  Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central Africa region which was confirmed on the 4th January, 2021 at the end of Mrs. Mfon Usoro  tenure;  A position that is well deserved by you with  your wide experience in the maritime industry.

 

“Your antecedents as the former Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards and Certification department of NIMASA, a Master Mariner of great repute and a successful career span across many cultures and international exposures  onboard numbers of foreign going vessels has earned you this enviable position.

 

“Your appointment is a welcome development not  only to our maritime sector, but also to the entire Shipping industry.  we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that you will deliver exceedingly even beyond expectations.

 

“With the enormous task ahead of you as  the Secretary General of Abuja MoU, It is our prayer that God will give you the wisdom and enablement to perform  effectively.

 

“To the above  end, knowing fully well you are one of us and we being the only custodian of Nigerian Seafarers (Officers), we want to assure you of our  unalloyed maximum support and cooperation that will make you to excel in your new office.

 

“Once again, please, accept our hearty congratulations and keep the flag flying.”

 

 

 

Umoren, took over on January 4, 2021 from Mrs. Mfon Usoro, whose tenure elapsed recently.

 

His nomination had earlier been supported by the NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashiru Jamoh, and the appointment approved by the Minister of Transportation and Vice Chairman of the Port State Control for West and Central Africa, Chibuike Amaechi.

 

Umoren is an accomplished professional with deep knowledge and experience in various aspects of shipping, including shipboard experience, marine operations and regulation.

 

His career spans many cultures and international exposures – from Asia, where he commanded foreign-going ships in Singapore, to Europe, where he was the fleet superintendent for the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in London.

 

The Abuja MoU on Port State Control was signed at a Ministerial Conference in Abuja by 16 West and Central African states on October 22, 1999. The meeting was organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

 

It is the legal document under which countries of the region agreed to develop and implement a common mechanism for their respective port state control activities.

 

The main work of the MoU is to harmonise the port state control procedure and practices of all countries in the region, aimed at eliminating the operation of substandard shipping within the region.

 

By so doing, it ensures maritime safety, security, protection of the marine environment from pollution and improvement of the working and living conditions of ship crew. It also facilitates regional cooperation and exchange of information among member-states.

 

Countries under the Abuja MoU include Angola, Benin, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea and Equatorial Guinea. Others are Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, The Gambia and Togo.

 

 

By Roland Ekama