Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in Akwa Ibom, Commodore Duja Effedua(Rtd.), has expressed confidence that cadets of the Academy would by and large benefit immensely from a multipurpose maritime facility under construction by Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, Chairman Morbod Ferries Limited.
Speaking during the facility tour on Tuesday with his team, Effedua commended Orakwusi for her insight to embark on such multipurpose maritime project that would have a well-equipped boat repair yard, a jetty for commercial ferry services, a section for barging operations as well as a container terminal.
“We are so proud of you; to see that you dared to start doing things in areas where they declared as male-dominated. We are grateful that you gave us the opportunity to be here to see what is on ground and what is going on.
“Our cadets will benefit from the chain of maritime services under construction .
“When I say we, it is the Academy; now and in future. The engineers particularly will benefit, because there is a boat repair yard here. Besides, this facility can support us technically when they are settled. Who knows, the cadets can even be employed here in future,” Effedua said.
Effedua added that the talk about the blue economy lies within the body of water that provides the opportunities for different people to be employed directly or indirectly, if for example, a ferry becomes operational and different professionals contribute their parts to the whole operation.
Earlier while briefing Effedua and his team on the progress of the construction works at the facility, Mrs. Orakwusi said that she was driven by her passion for job creation and for her desire to develop a modern maritime service facility of International standard that would have multiple economic impacts.
She disclosed that she desires to leave a lasting legacy for creating value out of an asset that was left to waste for decades.
“The business community in Lagos has suffered so much with the perennial gridlock and this facility will contribute significantly in reducing the gridlock and truck/containers related accidents on the roads.
“Barge operation from this location is very central linking Ikorodu, Apapa, kirikiri. So in a way, we are providing maritime infrastructure that covers all aspects of water transportation,” Orakwusi said.
Although so much work has been done, considering the level of the project, handlers are confident that a few months more would see to the facility completion.
This one-stop-shop for maritime transport services projects provision for over 1000 direct jobs including dry-docking services for small crafts and more indirect jobs.
Orakwusi had shared her experience of seeing how countries with less inland waterways where able to create artificial ones and put them to great use both for economic purposes and pleasure.
She believes that Nigeria, with her natural large areas of inland waterways, would do much more.
