Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe of the Liberia Maritime Authority congratulated Francis Zachariae on his reelection as Secretary-General of IALA. Lighe announced Liberia’s aim to become a full IALA member, contingent upon legislative ratification of the IALA Convention. He also requested an IALA assessment mission to update the country’s maritime infrastructure. These efforts mark significant steps toward enhancing Liberia’s maritime position and safety standards.
In a recent development, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), congratulated Francis Zachariae on his reelection as Secretary-General of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) during the organization’s elections on February 20. Zachariae’s new term solidifies IALA’s status as an intergovernmental organization as Liberia continues to strengthen its maritime initiatives.
Commissioner Lighe, representing Liberia—the world’s largest open ship registry—expressed his support for Zachariae’s leadership while indicating Liberia’s intention to transition from associate member status to full membership within IALA. This shift is critical for enhancing Liberia’s maritime governance, safety, and regulation standards on a global scale.
Secretary-General Zachariae highlighted that to achieve full membership, Liberia’s National Legislature must ratify the IALA Convention, with formal submission to the French government following this process. Commissioner Lighe committed to working with the Legislature to hasten the ratification, targeting completion before IALA’s next General Assembly in 2027 planned in India.
In addition to membership discussions, Lighe requested an IALA assessment mission to Liberia to evaluate and update the status of the country’s maritime infrastructure, which was last assessed in 2016. He underscored the importance of such evaluations for improving domestic navigation safety programs.
These discussions occurred during a formal IALA meeting, where Lighe also expressed gratitude to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for hosting the delegates at a formal dinner. Achieving full IALA membership would significantly bolster Liberia’s position in the maritime sector, enhancing its role in global shipping regulation and safety practices.
Commissioner Lighe’s proactive efforts aim to secure Liberia’s transition to full IALA membership, enhancing its international maritime standing. The commitment to expedite legislative ratification and conduct a comprehensive assessment of maritime infrastructure demonstrates Liberia’s dedication to improving navigation safety and governance. These strides exemplify Liberia’s ambitions within the maritime community.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
