National Planning Workshops in West Africa

John Ostergaard represented the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at two national workshops in Africa (Abuja, Nigeria and Freetown, Sierra Leone). These workshops were integrated within the IMO/IPIECA Global Initiative project for West and Central Africa (GI WACAF).

Both workshops were hosted by the respective national governments, with the aim of revising and moving to finalization of their national oil spill contingency plans. John delivered opening addresses on behalf of IMO; he also made a number of key presentations and facilitated working groups during the events. A total approaching 100 persons from government and industry attended. A Communiqué containing recommendations for further work was developed and agreed in Abuja, whilst a Plan of Action for development of the revised national plan was produced in Freetown.