Sierra Leone’s Transport Ministry, SLMA and SLPA host Committee of Experts on 28th Board of Governors Meeting
Sierra Leone’s Transport Ministry, SLMA and SLPA host Committee of Experts on 28th Board of Governors Meeting
Country Lodge Hotel, Sierra Leone, Freetown ,4th November 2022. The Ministry of Transport and Aviation in Collaboration with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration and Ports Authority have played host to the Committee of Experts for the 28th Board of Governors Meeting of the Regional Maritime University from the 1st to 3rd November,2022.
The Regional Maritime University is a tertiary institution with diplomatic status in Accra, Ghana founded by Republics of Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. These five member countries are represented as Board of Governor by their Transport Ministers and delegations often meet every year on rotational to deliberate on matters of mutual concerns to improve the maritime sector and to enhance the standards of the university.
In his keynote address, the Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Honorable Kabineh Kallon welcomed all member states representatives by expressing his heartfelt sentiment of fraternity and conveyed warmed greetings on behalf of the President His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the People of Sierra Leone.
He said the occasion marked the second time Sierra Leone was hosting the Board of Governors meeting in Freetown and ensured all participants present of the country’s commitment in ensuring a stunning and splendid stay in the Country.
He emphasized that the appointment of the chairman of RMU Board of Governor came on the hill of the appointment of WOMCA Secretary General, adding that since his appointment as WOMCA Secretary General, he has hit the ground running.
‘’in addition to his marathon tour of member states immediately after his appointment to ascertain the state of affairs in various countries, Dr. Paul has achieved much in the space of time in acceded to the office, he had not only sough the re-establishment of WOMCA in the Ministry of Global Maritime Affairs but also organized meeting with WOMCA, Ministry of Transport, IMO Secretary General and fought for a seat and built the relations to WOMCA at the IMO Council ‘’ Minister Kallon explained.
He applauded WOMCA Secretary General for organizing collaborative meetings with the Grace Shipping Company for the construction, he added that, it was all in a bid to strategically position their region in the grand stage of things.
Minister maintained that under his watch they were able to make a clear road map to wake up the maritime sector, noting that following the domestication of STWC and some mandatory instruments they have had engagement with IMO to provide technical supports to strengthen the maritime institutions and assist with capacity building of maritime manpower in the country.
He further that, as a government, they have taken a meaningful step in the maritime sector as a nation to increase the enrollment of Sierra Leonean students at the esteem Regional Maritime University for capacity building, he added that they have had consultation engagement with leading secondary schools in the country and embarked on awareness raising campaign to encourage and motivate WASSCE pupils to pursue Maritime courses at the institution.
He implored the Regional Maritime University Management to work closely with particularly the Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Higher and Technical Education to find ways of increasing the number of Sierra Leonean students’ enrollment in the Regional Maritime University, he added that, the government is expanding close to 30% of its national budget on education.
He assured the University Administration of Sierra Leone’s commitment and dedication in supporting education including Maritime Education, in particular, because the government desirous to enhance exploration of the country’s blue economy and to also support the mandate and vision of the Regional Maritime University.
In his statement, the Board Chairman, Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University who doubles as the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Republic of The Gambia, Honorable Ebrima Sillah expressed similar felicitation with greetings to His Excellency President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, the people of Sierra Leone and counterparts from member states on-behalf of the President of The Gambia His Excellency President Adama Barrow , and thanked the Government and People of Sierra Leone for hosting such occasion and the kind hospitality given to them, he added that such an hospitality is the hallmark of African Continent and its fountain holds for the hope of their collaboration in the development of the continent.
‘’In the words of an American author, Ellen Keller, alone we can do so little but together we can do so much, this resonate well with the type of integration that our great continent would have benefited a lot, if we look at ourselves as a whole but not contingent parts that can stand alone ‘’ Minister Sillah maintained.
He pointed out that since the establishment of the Regional Maritime University in 1983, the University has solidly set a great space and continues to stand the test of Regionalization which has produced the human capital in the maritime sector of member states.
He emphasized that with this kind of regional cooperation from member states, he hoped that they will ensure an exceptional reintegration of the RMU, that will continue to foster peaceful collaboration and coexistence in the sub-region and the African Continent at large.
He thanked all Board members for their unflinching supports exhibited since his assumption of duty as Chancellor and Board Chairman in June 2022, that he said has shown their commitments and certainly he is optimistic in achieving their set goals for the University.
‘’ It is a fact that member states contribution plays a significant role in the University revenue generation, I wish to therefore appeal to member countries to take the necessary steps in supporting the University with their annual subscriptions ‘’ Minister Sillah stressed.
He expressed his commitment in ensuring the financial strengthen of the RMU is augmented, he therefore, congratulated member states for their financial contributions and encourage others to take the necessary steps to accelerate efforts in fulfilling previous pledges of their part payment through their Agencies.
He promised to tour member countries and MOWCA to hold brotherly discussions with his colleagues Ministers and sisters’ organization in a bid to address issues among others such as engaging colleagues on payment of member states contribution, to familiarize himself with all the agencies of the various Ministries of the member states with a view to working on possible areas of collaboration to further strengthen the financial situation of the Regional Maritime University.
In his statement, the Secretary General of Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), His Excellency Dr. Paul Adalikwu expressed his delight to witness the occasion as he continues his tour to member states in order to broaden his knowledge about the activities of RMU.
He re-echoed his working visits made around member states including the Regional Maritime University in Ghana since his appointment as Secretary General of MOWCA, adding that his working visit to the University in August this year gave him a first-hand opportunity to access the infrastructural association and needs of the school.
‘’ this has given me a clearer picture of the things on ground, we will continue to partner and work assiduously in lifting the standards of the institution in terms of infrastructure and academics within available resources” Dr. Adalikwu explained.
He commended the Ag. Vice Chancellor and Management team for their tactful and prudence in managing the University funds given to them. He further applauded some member states for their up to date financial contribution to RMU and encourage others to follow same, adding that it is the only way to sustain the running of city learning to be able to produce competent, saleable graduates.
He called on member states to make full payments of their dues, adding that, it is the only way they can sustain the aspiration of a viable university that can favorably compete with other global maritime university.