Barely a fortnight into his stint as commissioner, Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. of the Liberia Maritime Authority made a number of working visits to maritime facilities in Monrovia, on March 26, 2024.
First, the Commissioner visited the offices of the Department of Port State Control (PSC) at the Freeport of Monrovia, where he was briefed by Director John F. Harvey about the ongoing project to upgrade the department’s office complex, something that is nearing completion.
The PSC Department is responsible for the inspection of foreign vessels that call at Liberian seaports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment are in compliance with international regulations and standards. Director Harvey and his team also check to ensure that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with international maritime rules and conventions.
The completion of the Port State Control office facility would enhance the Department of Port State Control’s performance as it carries out Liberia’s Flag State responsibilities of maintaining safety in the country’s waters and inspecting foreign ships that visit our ports.
Next, Commissioner Lighe, visited the Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRMRCC). There, having assessed the facility, he promised that his administration would do all that is necessary to lift MRMRCC to expected international standards. MRMRCC, with its primary focus on safety of life at sea in our coastal seas and our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), provides 24/7 operations and support.
Cllr. Lighe also visited the technical center of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to familiarize himself with the workings of NaFAA. While there, he met Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, the Director General of NaFAA. The two maritime leaders had an abridged working session.
At the end of his visit, the Commissioner assured the technical staff of LiMA of his commitment to upgrade those critical infrastructures that he had just surveyed, and that he would do all it takes to improve the working environment. He also promised that in alignment with the strategic goal of LiMA, deserving students would be given scholarships to pursue disciplines that would directly benefit the authority’s plans and objectives.
The LiMA boss was accompanied by the Principal Director of Administration and Legal Services, Cllr. Nya Gbaintor, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Desire Satia, Mr. Darlington Cheeks, Chief of Office Staff, Director of Corporate Strategy, John Cuffey, Director of Maritime Security, Mr. Simeon Cheah and other senior management team members.
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