By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) and the Regional Maritime Time University (RMU) on 17th August 2023 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide technical expertise for sea fearers.
Before appending signatures, the Executive Director of Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Paul Sobba Massaquio said the SLMA has benefitted enormously from RMU ‘s multidisciplinary academic and hands on training courses over the years, as most of the graduates are now serving in various technical capacities in carrying out the administration code mandate.
He further showered praises on the Bio-led government for steadfastly supporting the administration with finances in supporting students sent to Ghana Maritime School and the Ghanaian government.
“…we admonish the support of the RMU now that the SLMA has domesticated its STCW convention and presented to the IMO for consideration, we hope this will be a perfect opportunity to re-engage with the RMU with a view to solicit technical assistance and cooperation for the full implementation of the STCW convention”, he said.
Mr Massaquio stated that the administration wants to see a succession plan for the trained and qualified receiver of the Standard of Training Certificate and Watch Keeping (STCW) graduates to be provided with the opportunity to be enrolled into flag vessels of other member states as well either volunteer or serve on secondment in the university itself and vice versa as much provision has not been accorded to Sierra Leonean graduated over the years.
He called on members of the administration to strongly work together in putting corrective measures in place for more exchange of programs for fresh graduates entering into the profession immediately after completing the STCW certificate training to allow them to grow, develop and reach their full potential.
Responding from the government angle, the Deputy Minister of Marine Resources Rex Bhonapha said the government is happy that SLMA is partnering with the RMU to build the capacity of Sierra Leoneans at a lower cost traveling to Ghana individually. He described the MOU as a good initiative in place and a winner for both Sierra Leone and the RMU.
He urged the SLMA to quickly forward detail of the proposal to the Ministry on how the MOU will be implemented, and promised the RMU that he will fast-track its implementation. “Finally I will pleased , at the next BOG meeting to hear the minister proudly inform his colleagues about 400 Sierra Leoneans with the STCW certification conferred by the RMU,” he expressed.
According to the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr Jethro W. Brooks expressed excitement to have witnessed the signing of the MOU between the two institutions for the primary purpose of assisting the SLMA in practicalizing the domestication of its Standard of Training Certification and Watch Keeping of Seafarers.
The Ag VC reminded the audience of an economic system or sector that seeks to conserve Marine and freshwater environments while using them in a sustainable way to develop economic growth and produce resources such as energy and food, which mean the Blue Economy. The Blue Economy is defined as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem (World Bank definition).
Dr Brooks furthered that RMU had been in existence for 40 years serving as regional higher institution of leading maritime education, research and consultancy and training institution in which Sierra Leone is a proud member. He said if all planned activities are carefully crafted and implemented the SLMA will desire result of the blue economy, and urged SLMA to take critical look at its activities in the supply chain of the blue economy and concentrate on the livelihood and environmental aspect as a way of improving the living condition of its waters users and coastal inhabitants.
The Acting Vice Chancellor disclosed the RMU will provide services to the SLMA in several major areas such as;
- the provision of all necessary support, technical and otherwise, to the SLMA for the establishment of a local training academy that could feed into the RMU upon completion of its diploma program
- ensures that all Sierra Leoneans seafarer in possession of outdated certificates are renewed without delay
- the continuous provision of upgraders training for local trainers and;
- The processes of providing in country training for new would-be seafarers.
He further stated the expected outcomes that should be geared towards;
- The unemployment rate will reduce and that the youth will be skilled to work and earn a sustainable livelihood.
- The ships carrying the Sierra Leone flag will no longer have the excuse that you Sierra Leoneans do not have qualify trained seafarers.
- That there will be more bachelor’s degrees from Sierra Leone enrolling at the RMU and ships available to RMU will also crew Sierra Leonean nationals.
However, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) was established by an act of parliament in 2000 by the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003 as an autonomous body responsible, for among other things, the registration of ships and vessels, and to regulate and develop an improved standard of performance and practice in the shipping industry of Sierra Leone, including the coastal and inland water transport system and the marine environment.