Bolstering oil spill response preparedness
Workshop addresses gaps
LIBERIA: The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) in collaboration with the National Port Authority (NPA) hosted a five-day workshop to boost Liberia’s oil-spill response preparedness this month to strengthen Liberia’s collaboration with international partners to mitigate environmental risks and enhance national capacity for spill prevention and response.
Speaking at the opening, Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner/CEO Cllr Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr acknowledged the contributions of various partners and stakeholders as he emphasised the importance of environmental protection and the need for robust preparedness measures.
“Oil spills pose a serious threat to our marine environment, coastal communities, and the overall health of our oceans. This workshop is a critical step in strengthening our national capacity to respond effectively,” he said.
Organised under the Global Initiative for West Central and Southern Africa (GI WACAF), the training workshop brought together key stakeholders, including industry experts and government officials, to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for oil spill prevention and response.
Participants are set to engage in practical exercises and discussions, including lessons learned from previous spills and response strategies tailored to Liberia's coastal environment.
China Liberia maritime cooperation
In other news, the Commissioner also met with Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia last week to promote China-Liberia maritime cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Yin said that China will implement the maritime cooperation documents signed by the two sides during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in accordance with the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state, promote exchanges and cooperation in the maritime field between the two countries, and continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Liberia strategic partnership.
639