by Fabian Hakalits – EM TV, Madang
Lack of information sharing by various state agencies in the maritime industry has affected the implementation of adequate security measures in Papua New Guinea.
The National Transport Department highlighted this at the Maritime Security Seminar in Madang, stating the lack of a collaborative approach among state agencies, as stated in the 2011 seminar.
Transport Department’s Maritime Security Officer/Inspector Sylvester Adema says while security, monitoring and surveillance remain unsteady agencies, stakeholders must work in partnership to implement laws and policies.
Controlling and securing these access gateways is vital in strengthening PNG’s economic growth, which has become challenging.
Other findings show that port security assessments, as well as port facility security audits, are key elements in improving monitoring and surveillance across all seaports which are the country’s lifeline as they handle up to 95 per cent in volume of peoples, cargoes and movements.
Since the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code was introduced in 2004, there is still a lack of understanding, especially towards the National Treat Assessment, which aims to capture the general national security environment.
It was recommended that more development training on human resource capacity will be conducted with a review of several maritime documents to enhance knowledge and skills.
