By Elbie Sebleh
MONROVIA: The State-owned National Port Authority (NPA), says it has taken a giant step to address the health and safety of port users and citizens across the country.The measure is reflected in the penning of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide the framework for a coordinated national oil spill effort.
Over the weekend, the NPA, in conjunction with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Martine Authority and several industrial and mining private port user companies singed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil spill response preparedness.
The term of the MoU is an initial one year and may be modified by mutual consent.
The NPA represents to the private sector. Pursuant to the Act Repealing and Adopting the Chapter six (6) of the Public Authority Law, the NPA is solely authorized to manage all national port facilities across the country.
On the other hand, the Private Sector represents and warrants that it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Liberia and hereby expressly and irrevocably waives any immunity in any jurisdiction in respect of the MoU or matter arising hereunder, including any obligation or liability.
The elaborate signing ceremony which was held in the conference room of the NPA Managing Director, Sekou A. M. Dukuly, brought together dozens of private port users including, GVL, Srimex, Equatorial Palm Oil, AML, Bea Mountain, Western Cluster, Mira Gas, Society for the Conservation of Nature, APMT, Conex, LPRC and the Ministry of Defense Cost Guard who all separately signed.
The signing of the MoU seeks to establish a framework for sharing response, technical expertise, personal and equipment to enhance collective response capabilities to tackle incidental and operational spill.
Furthermore, the MoU aims to formalize the Cooperation among the parties and other stakeholders including environmental organizations to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impact of the oil spills and noxious liquid substances within the port areas.
Making official remarks, National Port Authority, Managing Director, Mr. Sekou A. M. Dukuly, outlined the role of the NPA within the agreement.
He also extolled the parties for commenting themselves to the MoU, while describing it as a step to collectively address health and safety wellbeing.
According to him, with the MoU signed, the NPA’s responsibility is to ensure the coordination, collaboration and cooperation among the private sectors by facilitating training and preparedness exercises for the oil response.
“With this MoU, the NPA will provide the necessary port facilities and infrastructure for oil spill response and ensure that all legal and regulatory frameworks are in place for the management of oil spill poll fund,” he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the Private sector, LPRC Managing Director, Mr. Amos Tweh, committed the private sector to the agreement, while terming it as a game changing approach to address health measures.
“Within this MoU, the private sector responsibilities are to participate in oil spill response preparedness activities including training and simulations and provide the necessary resources, expertise and equipment to assist in oil response. Also, we will collaborate with NPA and others relevant authorities during oil spill incident and ensure compliance with environmental standards and safeguard the shorelines and maritime domain,” Mr. Tweh stressed.
