The development of the port and maritime sector of the country has been presented to authorities in Abu Dhabi by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rashid Sesay at an engagement yesterday Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
A press statement from the Sierra Leone Embassy in UAE stated: “The Abu Dhabi Port is a provider of world-class integrated ports and industrial zone services and acts as a business enabler to provide vital infrastructure for the global maritime industry.”
The port, according to the release “also provides a host of marine services to support the maritime industry using the latest ports equipment in that part of the world.”
Ambassador Sesay said his engagement with the leadership serves as a way of fostering partnership and collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Ports and its Sierra Leonean counterparts. He emphasised that Sierra Leone and the UAE have established a very good relationship hence the need to further collaborate through investments for the good of both nations.
Sesay disclosed: “Sierra Leone was losing a lot through illegal fishing and other unauthorised activities in its waters hence the small-West African nation would welcome collaboration in the area of surveillance equipment to monitor its maritime activities.”
The Ambassador noted that working with Abu Dhabi and tapping from their experience will help Sierra Leone develop her ports and maritime sector, especially in the areas of skills transfer and equipment. He called for training of Sierra Leoneans in the maritime and ports services management.
The acting Head of Maritime Cluster at the Abu Dhabi Port, Captain Maktoum Al Houqani, said they have expertise in maritime and ports management by using the right technologies and processes, through which they are ready to work with the country.
He confirmed the capability and willingness to invest, and a strong commitment to support the government of Sierra Leone, adding their objective is to invest in tangible developments in ports management in Sierra Leone while expressing interest for exchange visits by their counterparts to explore further ways of cooperation.
MK/3/2/2021
By mohamed.kabba@awokonewspaper.sl