by Vasinatta Yama – EM TV, Port Moresby
Maritime Security Division under the Papua New Guinea Transport department will provide Solomon Islands with ‘International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Technical assistance’.
Senior officers from Solomon Islands Port Authority are in Port Moresby undergoing a capacity building program.
The program is beneficial for trade to enhance the level of Maritime Security in PNG and Solomon Islands.
Benny Legua, Director Corporate Services, and Nelson Kikoni, Port Facility Security officer from Solomon Islands, are here to undergo a two week program.
The program is in regard to the implementation of the maritime security code or International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) across the Pacific Island Region.
The officers will be coached in the areas of carrying out port facility security assessments, development of port facility security plans, audit of port facilities and ships that engage in international trade.
They will also conduct security drills and exercises and develop standard operating procedures to enforce the ISPS code in their port facilities.
Maritime Security Division was set up throughout many countries in the world straight after the 9/11 incident in the United States of America.
Air transport was used by terrorists to bomb the Twin Towers. Since then, USA and European countries are said to tighten transport security, especially sea and air.
As a result, all Ports must comply with the mandatory international security requirements and measures, especially for maritime purposes, or it will affect trade.
Since PNG trades with Solomon Islands through the ports of Lae and Noro in the Solomon Islands, the transport department agreed to help SI who’s currently, one of the non-compliant ports in the world.
The technical assistance program is conducted for Solomon Islands to identify what areas need improvements, to be port compliant, and to allow international trade to flow smoothly.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uVkfgLB6ieg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
