Liberia Maritime Commissioner, Lenn Eugene Nagbe, on Tuesday received in audience a high-level delegation from the Regional Maritime University (RMU), who are on a working visit to Liberia.
Welcoming the six-man team to the headquarters of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Commissioner Nagbe underscored the need for the sanctity of the Regional Maritime University to be protected because it is an epitome of what can be done when African countries join hands in achieving a critical goal.
The RMU is funded and managed by a number of West African countries: Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. At the meeting, Nagbe emphasized that “we will always seek to improve activities of the regional university”. He said the body exemplifies what can happen when states work together for the “general good of our respective citizenry and societies”.
The LiMA boss also pointed out that RMU is a success story, with “demonstrated evidence” that outside of all of the influences and support, which the region desperately craves, “it can come together and produce something that works well”.
According to him, the visit of the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of the RMU, whom he said has been very proactive in improving the workings of the university, is very crucial. He added that it was the reason LiMA welcomes the delegation’s visit, and emphasized that Liberia remains committed to the principles and goals of the institution.
In remarks, the head of the visiting delegation, the Chancellor and Board Chairman of the RMU, Ebrima Sillah, said his team was glad to be in Liberia and to see firsthand some of the capacity building efforts being carried out by Liberia, particularly through the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI).
“I must admit that we were thrilled by what we saw at the academy [LMTI) during our visit. We are very proud of your country’s achievement in the maritime industry,” he said. Continuing, the Chancellor said, “Liberia has really gone far with its institutions and policies, as well as the quality of the shipping registry.”
Chancellor Sillah indicated that he was proud of the achievements taking place within the West African region. “We are very happy that this is happening in our neighborhood. As a small country, we (Gambia) will be knocking on your doors to share experience and to exchange knowledge on matters of mutual interest,” he stated.
Additionally, he emphasized that the RMU is proud of Liberia for being consistent in its payments and contributions, as well as general support to the university.
Sillah, who is also the Minister of Works and Infrastructure of Gambia, intoned that the Regional Maritime University is at a critical crossroads right now, and called on member countries to come together to salvage the institution from unforeseen circumstances.
Members of the visiting delegation included: Ebrima Sillah, Chancellor/Board Chairman of RMU and Minister of Works/Infrastructure of Gambia; a Liberian, Dr. Jethro Brooks, Acting Vice Chancellor, RMU; Dr. Baboucarr Njie, University Registrar and Board Secretary, RMU; Karimu Janneh, Director General, Gambia Maritime Administration; Kule Manneh, Harbor Master, Gambia Port Authority; Mariama Fofanna, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of works/Infrastructure of Gambia.