Mintrans reviews reform legislation
Luanda – The Ministry of Transport (Mintrans) is preparing a new institutional framework, with the creation of new regulatory and supervisory bodies in the different areas, for greater action in the context of ongoing reforms in the sector.
According to the holder of the portfolio, Ricardo de D’Abreu, the new bodies will be created within the scope of the approval, by Presidential Decree, of the new organic statute of Mintrans already published in Diário da República.
Ricardo D’Abreu, who addressed a message on Wednesday on the occasion of World Maritime Day, which marks Thursday (24), said that this will give rise to the need for legislative revisions and, in particular, the amendment of the Law on Navy, Merchant and Ports.
In a plan considered very operational, the Transport sector launched other initiatives such as the international public tender for the concession of the multi-use terminal in Luanda, the General Cargo and Container terminals, Mineiro do Porto do Lobito, the resumption of works in Porto do Caio, the start of the Integrated Development Project of the Bay of Mozambique, the requalification of the Port of Soyo.
The Fluvial and Maritime Terminals of Porto do Soyo and Cabinda, the requalification of Porto Amboim, as a Port of Maritime Services, with shipyard and maritime support and the Ferryboat services, to connect Soyo / Cabinda, are other initiatives launched by the sector, in the last years.
For the Minister of Transport, the situation caused by covid-19 challenges the sector to be resilient and to continue to work committed.
Seafarers trapped at sea
According to the minister, hundreds of thousands of seafarers are now facing a humanitarian crisis because they are trapped at sea due to Covid-19, which is making it impossible for the ships they operate on, with contracts extended for many months.
“This is a challenge that must be dealt with urgently, through our governments, defining seafarers as essential workers and ensuring that crew changes can occur safely”, he defended.
He referred that the 24th of September occurs at a particularly challenging time for the world and for Angola, due to the fact that Covid-19 affected the lives of more than two million seafarers who serve the merchant fleet worldwide, including Angolans.
Despite this, he continued, shipping continues to account for more than 80% of world trade, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are essential to Covid-19’s response and recovery.
He said that the Executive continues to work in line with the conventions that unite Angola with the International Maritime Organization, of which it has been part since 1976.
Angola is also a member of the International Hydrographic Organization (whose process is underway with the National Assembly for accession) and of the Maritime Organization of West and Center Africa, the latter its secretary-general is an Angolan and a board member of Transport.
Angola seeks to make the most of its maritime and marine potential, as well as in the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure to support maritime and port activity.
This year, the date is celebrated under the theme “Sustainable maritime transport, for a sustainable planet”, with the aim of drawing attention to the importance of safety in maritime navigation, maritime industries for world trade and the protection of the marine environment .
The date was created in 1978 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency specialized in the safety of navigation and the prevention of marine pollution caused by ships.
Source: Angop
