The
Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES) in Nigeria has said it
would ensure that only certified sea-worthy ships are acquired into Nigeria.
Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES) in Nigeria has said it
would ensure that only certified sea-worthy ships are acquired into Nigeria.
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| President of AMES, Engr. Charles Uwadia |
President of
the association, Engr. Charles Uwadia, stated this in an interview with newsmen
in Lagos.
the association, Engr. Charles Uwadia, stated this in an interview with newsmen
in Lagos.
He said the
initiative would be among key issues for discussion at the association’s
Maritime Technical Summit themed ‘Challenges of Maritime Transport Industry in
Nigeria,’ on April 21 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
initiative would be among key issues for discussion at the association’s
Maritime Technical Summit themed ‘Challenges of Maritime Transport Industry in
Nigeria,’ on April 21 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
Uwadia said
policy makers in this respect would be exposed to the demands and requirements
needed, which must be complied with in ship acquisition as obtainable
world-wide.
policy makers in this respect would be exposed to the demands and requirements
needed, which must be complied with in ship acquisition as obtainable
world-wide.
He lamented
the large number of ships abandoned at the bar due to failure to meet up prescribed
standards for operational purposes, while highlighting the importance of
compliance and verification in sustainable maritime practice.
the large number of ships abandoned at the bar due to failure to meet up prescribed
standards for operational purposes, while highlighting the importance of
compliance and verification in sustainable maritime practice.
 |
| Engr. Olu Akinsoji |
“We want to
use this summit to advise stakeholders, the government on how to
maintain their
vessels to eliminate sub-standard vessels on our waters.
“Right at the
outside bar, you will be surprised at the number of vessels that cannot move or
those that are sub-standard because they cannot meet the minimum standard
required for a vessel to be operational.”
outside bar, you will be surprised at the number of vessels that cannot move or
those that are sub-standard because they cannot meet the minimum standard
required for a vessel to be operational.”
Uwadia called
on regulatory authorities concerned to be alive to their responsibility to
ensure minimum standards are met, to avoid down time in the course of
operations at sea.
on regulatory authorities concerned to be alive to their responsibility to
ensure minimum standards are met, to avoid down time in the course of
operations at sea.
Uwadia said
it was important that Nigeria upheld the professional practice of engaging competent
marine engineers and ship surveyors for survey reports before any ship would be
allowed into the country.
it was important that Nigeria upheld the professional practice of engaging competent
marine engineers and ship surveyors for survey reports before any ship would be
allowed into the country.
According to
him, Ghana as a country has recorded excellence by ensuring a mandatory report
by a professional marine engineer or surveyor from the country’s marine
engineers’ body.
him, Ghana as a country has recorded excellence by ensuring a mandatory report
by a professional marine engineer or surveyor from the country’s marine
engineers’ body.
“In any
civilised country, the first thing should be to get a competent marine engineer
or a good ship surveyor to go and inspect the vessel and give a honest report
before it is purchased.
civilised country, the first thing should be to get a competent marine engineer
or a good ship surveyor to go and inspect the vessel and give a honest report
before it is purchased.
“It should
not be the case of getting the seller to give you a surveyor for the job, who
will give a report to ensure that the owner sells his ware, as it has always
been.
not be the case of getting the seller to give you a surveyor for the job, who
will give a report to ensure that the owner sells his ware, as it has always
been.
“Such
practises, when not checked, make people buy vessels that cannot even leave the
port because they are scraps,” he said.
practises, when not checked, make people buy vessels that cannot even leave the
port because they are scraps,” he said.
Also
speaking, Engr. Olu Akinsoji, said the
summit would address issues in human capacity development for the sub-sector as
the present crop of marine engineers are aging and would require competent
replacement.
speaking, Engr. Olu Akinsoji, said the
summit would address issues in human capacity development for the sub-sector as
the present crop of marine engineers are aging and would require competent
replacement.
He said the
summit would also consider the need to have professionals drive the policies
for the sub-sector, for technical input to make it useful to its purpose.
summit would also consider the need to have professionals drive the policies
for the sub-sector, for technical input to make it useful to its purpose.
“We hardly
have input into policy formulation. All the professionals, our colleagues who
were in the ministry have all left; even the inland waterways have left the
ministry.
have input into policy formulation. All the professionals, our colleagues who
were in the ministry have all left; even the inland waterways have left the
ministry.
“The ministry
only has administrative officers. So, when they are formulating policies, it
comes out in form of laws before we even know something is going on.”
only has administrative officers. So, when they are formulating policies, it
comes out in form of laws before we even know something is going on.”
Akinsoji said
the association would also deliver papers to educate the stakeholders on the
importance of having marine engineers play key roles in the executing agencies,
as well as equipment maintenance.
the association would also deliver papers to educate the stakeholders on the
importance of having marine engineers play key roles in the executing agencies,
as well as equipment maintenance.
