By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
President George Manneh Weah at the weekend commissioned the FPB Pride of Wales boat recently donated to Liberia by the Welsh government in the UK on the Bushrod Island.
President Weah challenged the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority and the Liberia Coast Guard to work collaboratively to ensure the effective use of this patrol boat. He said this will reduce illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and improve regulatory appliance and security in the territorial coastal water
He said the vessel, which is now known as the FPB Pride of Wales, will add to the existing coast guard fleet and enhance to ensure the protection of the marine resources and coastal security.
The Liberian leader noted that the vessel has come at the time when Liberia is exerting all efforts aimed at improving the fishery sector by reducing illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the Liberian territorial waters.
“We are grateful to the World Bank for their support in securing this gift especially in shipping it to Liberia and we are highly appreciative to our donor partners for their level of cooperation for the sustainable management of the fishery sector and securing our marine resources,” President Weah said.
“Let me assure the governments of Wales and the United Kingdom that we will utilize the patrol boat to effectively enhance coastal monitoring surveillance and control program,” President Weah said.
He added: “Liberia will continue count on your support to improve the management of the sector so as to positively impact the economic and the nutrition of Liberians.”
British Ambassador to Liberia, David Belgrove said he was delighted to be a part of the commissioning ceremony of the fisheries patrol vessel, which he said was generously donated by the government and people of Wales to the government and people of Liberia.
“This donation is made as part of the ‘Wales for Africa’ programme, a Welsh Government initiative to support and encourage more people in Wales to make an effective contribution to international development and addressing global disasters and emergencies. It reflects Wales’ sense of duty as an international citizen and the Welsh Government’s legal duties under the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act – a ground breaking piece of legislation which commits Wales to helping deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” the British Ambassador said.
According to Amb. Belgrove, this programme has involved thousands of individuals, across hundreds of communities and institutions in Wales.
He said they have offered their time, energy, resources and expertise to a diversity of development projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Director General of the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority, Emma Metieh Glassco said sustainably managing the fishery sector is challenged by many problems.
She cited theft of the fishery resources through many forms of illegal , unregulated and unreported fishing by boats both at local and foreign processes.
The NaFAA boss added that illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing causes significant losses in revenue that will otherwise be used to support other economic sectors of the economy.
“In a bid to tackle this nightmare, NAFAA in collaboration with the Liberia Coast Guard using the current fleet has reduced of illegal, un regulated and unreported fishing in our waters,” Madam Glassco said.
“NAFAA needs to acquire additional boats for deterring IUU activities in out territorial waters particularly around the southeastern borders of our countries,” according to the NaFAA Director General.
According to her, the donation of the patrol boat is expected to booth the patrol capacity of the Liberia National Coast, improve regulatory compliance and increase in revenue.
For his part, the Deputy Defense Minister for Administration, Tibi Dickson, said his Ministry appreciates the donation of the patrol boat from the government and people of Wales, which he said wil build the capacity of Liberia’s Coast Guard to ensure that IUU activity is illuminated in our territorial water
“Government has done everything within our means to ensure that the sustenance of the artisanal fishery subsector of the economy is protected,” Deputy Defense Minister Dickson said.
The program graced by an array of officials of government, foreign diplomats, members of the Armed Forces of Liberia among others.
The Pride of Wales was constructed in 1996 , has twin caterpillar 3408 700 horsepower and consumes 100 to 120 liter per hour at 17 knots.
The boat has a 500liter fresh water tank and holds 4,000 liter of fuel0 litter of fuel in two tanks
The boat also has an anchor 60meter chain , navigation equipment including compass and GPS satellite phone , furuno echo sounder, koden radar , search light with remote control , navigations lights and four lifebuoys.