Transport ministry, marine engineering body to synergise for development of maritime sector– Minister
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| Transportation Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi |
The Federal Ministry of Transportation says it
will work closely with the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES)
to uplift the maritime sector.
will work closely with the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES)
to uplift the maritime sector.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed
this on Monday in Abuja when the Executive Committee of AMES paid him a
courtesy visit.
this on Monday in Abuja when the Executive Committee of AMES paid him a
courtesy visit.
He expressed dismay at the unsatisfactory state
of affairs at the country’s seaports and the insecurity on the nation’s
waterways.
of affairs at the country’s seaports and the insecurity on the nation’s
waterways.
“I want
to, with the management of the ministry of transportation, move the maritime
sector forward.
to, with the management of the ministry of transportation, move the maritime
sector forward.
“I don’t feel happy seeing the seaports the way
they are; I am not happy seeing NIMASA the way it is.
they are; I am not happy seeing NIMASA the way it is.
“I am not happy with the problem of insecurity
on the waterways.
on the waterways.
“I feel that working together, we should be able
to overcome some of these challenges; am very glad to work with you.
to overcome some of these challenges; am very glad to work with you.
“Moreover you are the expert; you are those who
have gone to school to learn what it is to be a marine surveyor.
have gone to school to learn what it is to be a marine surveyor.
“I need to work closely with you people to
continue to acquire the technical knowledge that will make me administer the
marine sector properly.
continue to acquire the technical knowledge that will make me administer the
marine sector properly.
“So your visit is essential to me and I respect
that I have the privilege to have to host you.”
that I have the privilege to have to host you.”
Amaechi, however, said that he would attend the forthcoming maritime summit
in Lagos as a step toward finding solutions to some of the challenges being
experienced in the sector.
in Lagos as a step toward finding solutions to some of the challenges being
experienced in the sector.
Earlier, the President of the association, Mr Charles Uwadia, said that the
sector was declining due to non-compliance of operators to international
standards and regulations.
sector was declining due to non-compliance of operators to international
standards and regulations.
“One of the reasons of this courtesy
call is that we believe that the present failure in the maritime sector is due
to lack of in-depth technical input into maritime policies and their
implementation in line with international best practices and realities.
call is that we believe that the present failure in the maritime sector is due
to lack of in-depth technical input into maritime policies and their
implementation in line with international best practices and realities.
“We believe that the decline in standard, quality and profitability of the
ships of Nigeria flag can be traced to their poor technical standard occasioned
by the owner’s reluctance to comply with national and international standard
and regulations.
ships of Nigeria flag can be traced to their poor technical standard occasioned
by the owner’s reluctance to comply with national and international standard
and regulations.
“It is the opinion of AMES that there is a need for a holistic review of
Nigerian Maritime human and technical capacity development and in consideration
of these challenges.
Nigerian Maritime human and technical capacity development and in consideration
of these challenges.
“We are here to share our experiences with you in order to move this strategic
maritime industry forward.”
maritime industry forward.”
He said that the planned maritime summit scheduled to hold on April 14 in Lagos
would focus on the challenges facing the industry and how to move the industry
forward.
would focus on the challenges facing the industry and how to move the industry
forward.
Uwadia said that members of AMES were technically sound professionals,
trained in maritime operations, management and technical policy formulation.
trained in maritime operations, management and technical policy formulation.
NAN
