The
managing director of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has said building the
capacity of the staff of the institution to better enhance their performance is
among the top development agenda of his administration.
Lamin
Sanyang made this remark on Friday at the closing ceremony of a five-day
capacity building training for 30 security personnel of GPA on International
Ship and Port Facility Security Code and maritime security drill.
The
training was meant, among others, to equip the ports security personnel on
issues related to maritime security such as recognition and detection of
weapons and dangerous substance, and maritime security threats.
Mr
Sanyang said training his staff at both national and international levels would
continue to remain his priority.
“The
shipping port industry is evolving daily and one of the most important
components that is highly discuss in international workshop is maritime
security,” he said, adding that the level of security in the port of Banjul, as
an international commercial link, would never be compromised.
“We
are dealing with international companies and if our port is not secured, our
shipping line, our customers, will not have the confidence to call the port of
Banjul,” GPA MD said. “This is why the
management decided to make sure that all the security apparatus within the port
are trained to the highest level in terms of maritime security and safety.”
The
deputy managing director of the Gambia Port Authority, Ousman M. Jobarteh,
pointed out that port operations worldwide cannot be conducted in a secured
manner without safety and security concerns been addressed.
He
said the security officers, as the first line of actors that interact with port
users and shipping companies, are “the most important aspect” in the operation
cycle of the port.
Lamin
Cham, on behalf of the other participants, assured the management of GPA of
their continued efforts in maintaining the high security standard of the ports.
