Academy partners NIMASA on facilities
By Uchenna Eletuo
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) has commenced partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) on the provision of standard facilities for the academy in Oron.
The Rector of the Academy, Mr. Duja Effedua, said the facilities were to equipped the institution to be in line with internationally acceptable specifications.
It is to enable the academy to attain compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training and for watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978) and as amended in 2010.
The academy which graduated 325 marine engineers for the 2017/18 academic session, he said was “fully equipped with multimedia classrooms with fire training grounds and custom purpose built swimming pool as well as realistic simulation environment are some of the new innovations his team and NIMASA are working on’’.
”We have structured and have gotten 60 per cent right. Presently we are sourcing for qualified lecturers home and abroad.
”We are also remodeling the classrooms, hostels as well as the library.
“I am glad to announce that the management of NIMASA has promised to be with us all the way in terms of financial support,’’ he said.
According to him, a new simulation centre, which NIMASA has commenced the process of equipping to international training standards, is under construction.
Effedua said, “Dr Dakuku Peterside is a person who matches words with action.
“NIMASA has commenced the process of acquiring a simulator amongst other equipment for training of our cadets to ensure that Certificates of Competencies (CoCs) issued here attain global recognition.
“I believe before the end of the 2019 academic session, we shall be one of the best maritime academies in Africa.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside had assured the students and stakeholders of the Agency’s commitment to ensure capacity development in the sector.
The DG had commended the MAN team for judicious utilisation of funds disbursed to the institution and assured the rector of NIMASA’s backing.
“Since Simulators are not acquired off the shelf, NIMASA and MAN Oron management have commenced the process of building one to specification for the simulation centre here.
“Our goal is to ensure MAN, Oron, attracts not only Nigerians, but also international students so we can completely domesticate maritime training here in Nigeria,” Peterside he said.
A total of 613 graduates made up of 325 Marine Engineers, 142 Nautical Scientists and 146 Maritime Transport Engineers were awarded Diploma Certificates for the last session.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is Nigeria’s premier maritime institution, charged with the responsibility of training all levels of manpower to man vessels.
The Academy is listed in the International Maritime Organisation’s White list of Institutions that have fully complied with the STCW 1978 Convention, as amended in 2010.
NIMASA by law is responsible for funding of the institution by providing 5 per cent of its revenue to MAN Oron.
