13 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — THE Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, (NAMM) has expressed concern over the overlapping functions of the various maritime agencies in Nigeria, a development the say has led to the absence of a strategic maritime policy.
Speaking at its quarterly meeting in Lagos, the association’s President Captain Joseph Awodeha, called on the government to look into the absence of a strategic maritime policy has not only underdeveloped the maritime industry but denied Nigeria international partnership.
Awodeha explained that the lack of a strategic document has led to all sorts of unwholesome practice and confusion that has only benefited some people.
The group’s President also called on the government to commence a strategic training programme for practitioners in the Nigerian maritime industry as a way of bridging the gap of aging professional.
He was particular about the Nigerian cadets that are currently undergoing training in various maritime academies around the world.
The retired ship captain lamented the impartation of theoretical knowledge without the giving them the opportunity of having the practical aspect of the training.
He said “There is the point in sending cadets Abroad for training and at the end of the training, the cadet does not have the practical experience to carry out the job he has been trained to do.
“There are so many cadets that have been trained Abroad but they cannot perform their duties as Marine Officer or Engineers because the platforms for them to do the practical aspect and qualify them to actually go on board and be employable are not there.
“So they have come in with academic qualification but no professional competence.
“In other words, until we do that, we have not spent monies well on the training of the cadets, they are half baked, they are complete officers yet.”
Similarly, Chairman of the Port Consultative Council, (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin urged master mariners to put strategic initiatives that will result in strategic planning and implementation.
He advised that master mariners should be doing more of advocacy with a view to sensitizing government on the need to reviews functions of some the agencies in the maritime sector.
Former Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS), Rear Admiral Godwill Ombo in his presentation said that despite the Joint Task Force the issue of crude oil theft has continued unabated.
Ombo called for improved funding for the Nigerian Navy so as to fulfill its statutory function of protecting the nation’s coastal and territorial waters.