Cameroon: PAD Workers Enhance Port Security Skills
By Shout-Africa Cameroon correspondent – The 29 security agents of the Port Authority of Douala (PAD), who were last June instructed on maritime and port security, were yesterday awarded end-of-course attestations.
Port Facility Security Officers with attestations and government authorities security skills
The Port Authority of Douala, PAD, has taken another step forward in its security improvement process engaged by port authorities. In its quest to improve performance, PAD lays special emphasis on the security of the port, as well as its facilities, port users and freight. The last seven years witness significant strides in this area. Port authorities say it has attained Standards of the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities that went into force in July 1, 2004.
Efforts by port authorities to maintain security on the waters of the port of Douala revolved around the implementation of major investment for securing vessels, port facilities and goods in transit through the port.
Speaking during an end-of-course attestation-award ceremony at the Sawa Hotel, Jean Marcel Dayas Mounoume, PAD Managing Director, saidthe concern to maintain and improve the level of safety and security has led to the implementation of a number of actions. These include; the construction of a concrete wall around the port zone, the acquisition and installation of surveillance equipment to access land and sea such as theultra-modern control tower with a Vessel Traffic Management System (comprising two radars) and the strengthening of the operational capacities ofMarine Firefighters, officers and harbour masters, security and safety services by the acquisition of a new fire truck, among others.
The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Transport, Oumarou Mefiro, underscored the importance government attaches to the training: that the trainees will meet the operational capacities of the personnel in charge of security questions and safety at the port as well as improve on port performance.
One of the trainees, senior pilot Jean-Christophe Nembot, expressed the satisfaction with the instructions he received during the course. He said he now knows the different security operations involving the use of surveillance equipment.
The 29 security agents were trained by the International Maritime Office (BIMV) between June 24-26, 2011. The ceremony was also attended by the General Managers of the Cameroon National shippers’ Council and GUCE.
