LiMA boss visits maritime facilities in Monrovia

Monrovia, Liberia, March 28, 2024: On March 26, 2024, the New Maritime boss, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., made several working visits to maritime facilities in Monrovia.

Cllr. Lighe visited the Department of Port State Control (PSC) offices at the Freeport of Monrovia, where Director John F. Harvey briefed him about the ongoing project to upgrade the department’s office complex, which is nearing completion.

The PSC Department is responsible for inspecting foreign vessels that call at Liberian seaports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment comply 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. Completing 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). After assessing the facility, he promised that his administration would do all that is necessary to raise 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 took 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