MATTHEW OTOIJAGHA
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, has said that the agency will partner with Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, to ensure that all stumbling blocks for the growth and development of the industry are removed.
Making this known in Lagos at the 2nd National Convention of AMANO over the weekend, Peterside, who was represented by Ekong Umo Otong of the safety department of NIMASA, said maritime education being critical to the repositioning of the country and the economy, it is important to partner with AMANO, a critical stakeholder.
According to him, “NIMASA is proud to be associated with AMANO and to name you as one of our top most stakeholders and thus we remain open to any invaluable contributions and business enhancement suggestions from your highly reputable association, knowing that it will also be beneficial to the maritime world and the current drive and focus on Blue economy.”
Earlier in his welcome address, President of AMANO, Austin Umezurike, decried the problems faced by cadets concerning sea time training, stressing the need for comprehensive approach to finding solution to the problem. Umezurike noted that there is need to focus on maritime education and training to fill the present gaps in the industry, even as he called for the right policies to be put in place to ensure development in the shipping sector.
He added that the alumni on its part is working to ensure quality training for cadets at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, by way of its members going there to give lectures in their areas of specialization.
He also disclosed that AMANO has help to upgrade the library of the institution with ICT. He therefore called on all former cadets to help in ensuring that MAN, Oron gets to the required standard, as well as assist young cadets to get sea time training.