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MD GPA: Staff training is high on my administration agenda

Feb 20, 2017, 11:50 AM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh

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.