Fiji's first ever mandatory state audit on maritime conventions underway

Fiji’s first ever mandatory state audit to see how relevant agencies under the government have effectively implemented the requirements of the international maritime instruments, that Fiji is a party to is now currently underway.

Speaking to Fijivillage, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji CEO John Tunidau says that the audit includes safety of life at sea,  marine pollution prevention and Standards of training and certification of sea ferries.

Tunidau says there are seven main International Maritime Organization conventions that are covered under the audit and the purpose of the audit is just to look at how holistically the state has implemented its obligation.

He says the audit is also to bring fourth recommendation to help not only the state that is in audit,  but other states to learn from what is better implemented in Fiji.

Member State Audit Officer Vasudeva Aji says the member state audit scheme came into existence because at some point in time members felt that every member state did not have equal resources or equal ability to implement all the instruments uniformly.

Aji says Fiji is a member of IMO since 1983 and it is an organization with 173 member states.

He says if a country member of IMO is not able to implement the conventions and instruments, it cannot meet its purpose, so IMO started with self assessments in the 90's .

The International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme meeting will end next Monday.