By Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), in partnership with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), on Monday launched a five-day regional training workshop aimed at strengthening procurement systems for marine aids to navigation.
The workshop, titled “Effective Procurement for Marine Aids to Navigation (AToN),” is being held from January 12 to 16 at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo. It has brought together maritime professionals and navigation authorities from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde.
Opening the programme, GMA Director General, Olimatou Danso Malang, described the training as timely and critical for maritime safety and regional trade. She said effective procurement of aids to navigation equipment is vital for ensuring safe shipping routes, protecting the marine environment, and sustaining port operations.
Géraldine Delanoye, Capacity Building Manager at IALA, commended The Gambia for its growing role in regional maritime development. She said the course aims to help countries meet international obligations under maritime safety conventions while reducing navigational risks.
“The work we do keeps ships off the rocks,” Delanoye said, noting that compliance with international standards improves safety, reduces insurance costs, and lowers the overall cost of imported goods.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Samba Mballow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, welcomed participants and thanked IALA for selecting The Gambia as host. He emphasized that navigation aids are the backbone of maritime safety and that transparent, efficient procurement systems are essential to sustaining these services.
The training is facilitated by Sarah Robinson, an IALA consultant and specialist in risk assessment, aids to navigation management, and procurement. Participants are undergoing practical sessions on specification writing, tender evaluation, contract management, risk identification, and international trading tools such as Incoterms.
According to GMA, the workshop is part of a broader effort to build national and regional capacity in maritime safety management. In recent years, the administration has invested in staff training and technical expertise to improve aids to navigation services in Gambian waters.
The programme is expected to strengthen cooperation among regional maritime authorities and contribute to safer navigation, more efficient shipping operations, and improved compliance with international maritime standards.