By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, in collaboration with the United Kingdom hydrographic, has hosted a two-day national hydrographic governance workshop in Freetown.

The Workshop was meant to improve the capacity of staff and other senior line ministers in the country.

The anticipated event happened on Monday 10th March, 2025 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.

David Parker, Head of Hydrographic unit at UK, said Hydrography provides the basis for all activities which involve what happens to our seas in the world.

On this, the International Hydrographic Organization works to ensure that all the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and put on a chart, thereby supporting safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. Adding that it will coordinate the activities of national hydrographic offices and sets standards in order to promote uniformity in nautical charts and protect the documents.

He further explained that the issues of survey and best practices provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic information.

Josephine Ganld, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, said Salone Maritime Sector, has expressed determination to continue efforts and to jointly adopt necessary measures to save the sea with a view to encouraging greater international cooperation and coordination for the transition of a manual system to electronic nautical charts.

And to increase the coverage of hydrographic information on a global level, especially in areas of international navigation and ports and where there are vulnerable or protected marine areas.

She called for intensified efforts to building the capacity of the developing countries, small island developing states and coastal African states, in order to improve hydrographic services and the production of nautical charts, including the mobilization of resources and building of capacity of human with support from international financial institutions and the donor community.

“While also recognizing that an economic scale can apply in some instances at the regional level through shared facilities, technical capabilities and information for the provision of hydrographic services and the preparation of and access to nautical charts.”

The Parliamentary Committee Chairman on Transport and Aviation, Honorable Dicken Rogers said the government is willing to support the good  dreams of SLMA at all levels.

“We believe in capacity building and human capital. All MDAS must bring good initiatives. We have a friendly ecosystem in Sierra Leone,” he said.

In his response, the Executive Director of SLMA, Dr. Daniel Kaitibi, said the two days’ workshop would yield more growth and a hope for staff and other ministries.

‘’We need the cooperation of all Sierra Leoneans on this; the workshop is a test case.”

Some of the SLMA staff would visit the UK for exchange of knowledge in June 2025,” he said.