The Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency, NIMASA has taken her quest to enhance capacity in the Nigerian maritime sector to the United Kingdom.
The Agency’s Director General, Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi led a delegation from the Agency to meet with Nigerian Mariners living in the United Kingdom.
The NIMASA DG noted that Nigeria has the human capital required to develop the country’s Maritime Industry and all efforts will be made to ensure that all professionals in the maritime industry are engaged irrespective of their location adding that he has decided to engage Nigerian Mariners in diaspora inorder to fast track the transformation of the country’s maritime sector.
While identifying lack of infrastructure as the bane of development of the Nigerian Maritime Sector Mr. Akpobolokemi described the level of awareness as very high and informed the Nigerian Mariners in diaspora that the Federal Government is commited to transforming the situation for the better.
He appealed to them to return home and contribute thier quota to nation building with an assurance that the NIMASA Management is ready to provide the platfom for them to succeed.
In his words “We have the will power to turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime sector, but we cannot do it all alone. We need your support. The Federal Government is ready to give us the Political mussle to succeed. Nigeria is your country and we must all work collectively to succeed”
He also disclosed that NIMASA is at the verge of compelling Shipowners and Operators in Nigerian waters to allow for Seatime Training for Nigerian cadets adding that Cabotage enforcement is on the right track and the ultimate goal is to have Nigerians working in Nigeria.
In his own contribution, Engr Joe Alegbeleye a former Officer with the Nigerian National Shipping Line who is now a school consultant in London, called on the Federal Government to embrace a tax holiday regime and expressed his readiness to partner NIMASA in developing capacity for the industry.
“We were trained by the Federal Government of Nigeria who sent us here to obtain professional qualifications in the maritime sector. At the moment, I am a teacher here and I desire to serve Nigeria in a better capacity”
Ubong Okon who works with the Lyods Register in London appealed for a concerted effort at improving the Nigerian Flag and assured the NIMASA team of his availability to project the country’s interest at all times.
