Regional Maritime University & 30th Board of Governors Meeting Reaches climax
The Regional Maritime University (RMU) and 30th Board of Governors forum has ended on Friday in the Gambia after a 4-day meeting held at the OIC Conference center in Bijilo. The meeting brought together delegates from five member states as brothers and sisters.
Speaking at the closing event on Friday, Ebrima Sillah, the minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure who doubles as the Board Chairman and Chancellor for the Regional Maritime University (RMU) revealed that the Regional Maritime University (RMU) continues to be a symbol of unity, hope and integration for the Maritime industry.
He noted that the meeting that brought them together still remains the single most important means of transport for the continent and the entire globe for goods and commodities.
He further stated that the Regional Maritime University continues to register significant strides despite its numerous challenges, which he said key among them is its financial challenges.
“The Board of Governors in recent times came up with a strategy to help all member states to be up to date with their contributions to the University,” he recalled.
He advanced that “last year during its 28th meeting hosted by the sister Republic of Sierra Leone, the Board gave waivers to some of the countries that were owing huge sums.”
“I have been informed that the countries involved have taken advantage of this window to pay. I still encourage those that are yet to fully pay to please. I still encourage those that are yet to fully pay to please kindly do so to help the institution,” he appealed.
The University he noted has been involving in various activities geared towards the strengthening of the institution especially its finances. He added that he was particularly excited by news of the signing of an MOU with Lamar Marine Services that will see boats built on the RMU campus.
He said this includes the donation of a training ship by MODEC and several other collaborations including Delta Flash, Standcode Engineering Services, Ghana Grid Company and Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company among others.
I further commends and encourages the management to continue to engage stakeholders, notably the industry to make the training in the University relevant to needs of the sector.
“On Monday when I hosted the Management and other delegates from RMU in my Office during a courtesy call, I instructed Management to explore the possibility of a collaboration with the Government of Japan,” he explained.
“I will personally sign the letters of proposal as Chancellor and follow through with a visit to Japan to seek support for the University. Among the issues we will be requesting support would be ways of further strengthening developments and training around the blue Economy, de-carbonization, and support for RMU’s training programs among others,” he assured.
Minister Sillah continued to encourage colleagues and other stakeholders to also assist the University with more collaborations which will accrue unparalleled benefits to the University and its affiliated bodies.
Sillah also explained that the Regional Maritime University remains a beacon of hope and a living testimony of African collaboration and unity. He further encouraged all member states to do everything possible to further nurture and expand the union.
Furthermore, the gathering witnessed a recognition of two former RMU board members with prestigious citations which includes Honorable Bai Lamin Jobe, the former Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of The Gambia and Hon Kabineh M. Kallon, the immediate past Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
