ODA eligibility database

In support of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe’s efforts to strengthen surveillance of its territorial waters, Portugal provides maritime security support to the Coast Guard and Maritime Authority of São Tomé and Príncipe. Portugal has signed multiannual framework programmes with partner countries’ authorities and this activity is part of one of the framework programmes signed since 2006.

This project aims to develop the functional, logistic and administrative aspects of the Coast Guard and Maritime Authority of São Tomé and Príncipe in order to reinforce maritime security in the country. The Coast Guard lacks both the technical capacity to operationalise the equipment and the ability to effectively organise available means for the security of maritime traffic mainly of commercial ships and fishing boats. In addition, Portugal also provided technical advice to the Port Authority and Maritime Authority with regards to system organisation and operationalisation. The budget reported as ODA was allocated for both the renovation and maintenance of maritime signalling equipment, lighthouses and small beacons as well as for maintaining the safety of maritime traffic.

This activity aims to assure modernised coast lighthouses equipment and security for navigation in general – mainly for commercial ships and fishing boats – in the partner country.

This activity is deemed ODA-eligible. The primary purpose is civilian as it concerns security measures for shipping navigation in general, and in particular commercial ships and fishing boats, which are fundamental in a Small Island Developing State highly dependent of sea resources. For the purpose of ODA reporting, coast guard in their civilian police law enforcement functions is not considered military but police, even if administered under the Ministry of Defence (see paragraph 100). In São Tomé and Príncipe, the Coast Guard and Maritime Authority is administered by the Ministry of Defence. In that context, the Portuguese Ministry of Defence was identified as the appropriate counterpart for providing the support. Only additional costs are counted as ODA.