Kunle Kalejaye
18 June 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr Dakuku Peterside has restated the Agency’s determination to partner with training institutions to provide internationally recognised training in basic and advanced maritime courses for the sustainable development of the maritime industry.
The DG who said this while receiving the Management of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre at the Agency’s Head Office in Lagos noted that these partnerships are aimed at bridging the capacity gap in the industry.
While commending the management of the training institution on the quality of their facilities, instructors and the international accreditation earned, the DG observed that NIMASA is open to partnerships that will advance the course of the maritime sector in Nigeria.
Dr Peterside highlighted the importance of capacity building as being instrumental in the development of the maritime sector noting that it is a prerequisite for the achievement of local content in shipping and the logistics chain.
According to the DG, “for us to grow the local content in the maritime sector that Nigeria deserves, we must be able to take very seriously the issue of training, which is why we in NIMASA will always partner training institutions to grow this capacity”.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles Wami who had earlier expressed the readiness of the institution to partner with the Agency in the area of capacity development stated that they are committed to bridging the capacity gap in the industry.
He affirmed the importance of training noting that they are willing to partner the Agency in the area of the merchant marine, inland waterways and offshore training in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978 which sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing vessels.
