By Aji Fatou Jammeh
The Network of Tax and Financial Reporters (NFTR) in collaboration with the Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA) recently convened a media sensitisation on GMA’s mandates and activities in The Gambia.
Held at the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) conference hall, Bijilo, the event brought together 40 journalists from various media outlets, and availed them the opportunity to interact with maritime officials to acquaint themselves with GMA’s mandates, operations and activities in the country. This aims to ensure journalists to make accurate and professional reporting on issues related to maritime.
The Deputy Director General of GMA, Mr Ousman Touray assured journalists that the Agency
has a lot to offer and that the media can help disseminate vital information to the public.
He noted that the industry is one of the most critical sectors of the economy as most of the country’s trade is conducted through shipping. He added that The Gambia imports most of its goods, which is done through the sea ports, and that as a re-export country, the industry significantly contributes to the country’s economy .
According to Mr Touray, the marine environment is the backbone of GMA’s work with the task to developing the maritime industry which covers areas such as seafarers’ training and welfare, port security with respect to the International Ship and Port facility Security (ISPS) code, protection of the marine environment amongst others.
NFTR President Mr Abdoulie Nyockeh acknowledged GMA’s support and empowerment of journalists to have in-depth knowledge of the role and esponsibilities of the Gambia Maritime Administration in national development.
He informed participants about the establishment of the NFTR-Gambia chapter which he emanated from weeklong intensive media training for 72 media practitioners and communicators in the continent organised by Tax Administration forum secretariat ATAF in Kigali, Rwanda in 2019. The forum he said identified ways through which tax authorities could work with the media in making citizens more active in terms of holding states accountable.
The president of Gambia Press Union (GPU), Muhammed S. Bah acknowledged that the media has a responsibility to ensure that people are well-informed in the various sectors.
“I believe that the maritime sector is under-reported,” he observed.
He went on: “We have also seen the oil spill and experts are saying that the Gambia might not have the capacity to regulate that, and that has a negative impact on our society,” Mr. Bah said.
He also made reference to people who are coming into our rivers without being licensed or without a proper contract. “These are issues we should raise among other things such as the ferry system,” he advised.
Participating journalists were taken through presentations on requirements for registration under Gambian flag, which entails the declaration of ownership, builder’s certificate, bill of sale , where the ship is being purchased, safety certificate, deletion certificate, evidence of freedom from encumbrance, among others.