Maritime Congratulates IALA SG Zachariae On Reelection …Promises To Ensure Liberia’s Full IALA Membership
The Commissioner of Liberia’s Maritime Authority, Neto Zarzar Lighe has congratulated Mr. Francis Zachariae for his reelection as Secretary-General and promised a continued cordial relationship between IALA and Liberia.
The International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) on Friday, February 20, 2025, elected 23 Council Members including its Secretary-General, Francis Zachariae who was reelected as Secretary-General for the new IGO.
Commissioner/CEO Lighe, representing Liberia, which is the world’s largest open ship registry, extended his appreciation through SG Zachariae to the Singaporean Maritime and Port Authority for the dinner held in honor of the delegates who attended the meeting.
Commissioner Lighe, concerned about Liberia’s status at IALA (Associate Member); enquire from SG Zachariae about what needs to be done to change the country’s status to that of a full member.
But SG Zachariae in his response said to become a full member, there is a need for ratification of an instrument by the Liberian Legislature or the country’s House of Parliament.
He encouraged Liberia to attend IALA’s committee meetings and workshops regularly and added that the country’s active participation in meetings and workshops of the organization would further enhance its membership.
However, Lighe, who is knowledgeable of the requirements for the instrument to be ratified, expressed optimism and promised to lobby with the Legislature to ensure its ratification, after which it will then be deposited at the France consulate or Embassy near Monrovia.
“We are going to lobby with the National Legislature to ensure the country’s quest for IALA full membership is ratified”, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe said.
Moreover, Commissioner Cllr. Lighe also requested IALA’s Assessment mission to Liberia since the last one was held in 2016.
Cllr. Lighe believes that the IALA assessment mission will enhance Liberia’s domestic program.
The IALA SG Zachariae has also disclosed that the next General Assembly meeting is scheduled to be held in India in mid-2027 at which time, Liberia is expected to be recognized as a full member.
