Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control, Captain Sunday Umoren has pledged to secure the membership of Mauritania and Namibia by mid-2025, aiming to complete the 22-member regional maritime safety alliance.
The Abuja MoU Secretary General gave this assurance during the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners’ (NAMM) 3rd quarterly paper presentation which held recently in Lagos.
Captain Umoren highlighted that 20 countries have already joined the bloc, with advanced efforts underway to bring the two remaining West and Central African nations into the 22-member bloc.
The Abuja MoU, established in 1999, is a cooperative agreement aimed at enhancing maritime safety, environmental protection, and operational standards within West and Central Africa. Through regular inspections and control measures, the member states enforce compliance with international maritime regulations to prevent substandard ships from entering regional waters.
By strengthening the unity and collaboration among these states, the MoU contributes to the reduction of maritime accidents, environmental hazards, and unlawful practices within the maritime industry.
Captain Umoren provided updates on efforts to have the Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Namibia join the Abuja MoU, which currently has 22 member states.
“Last year, we managed to bring in three countries. Now, we’re focusing on Mauritania and Namibia, which have yet to officially join, even though they are part of the regional bloc,” Umoren explained. “It’s a decision that ultimately rests with the presidents and ministers of those countries, and once they agree, they will join. But I assure you, and you can quote me, before the middle of next year, at the latest, they will be part of us. Ideally, I am targeting the beginning of next year,” he added.
Captain Umoren underscored the importance of achieving full membership, noting, “If all the members are in, the net is closed. With any gaps, such as the absence of a country, there’s a risk of weakening our collective maritime security.”
