The National Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has promised to build a stronger relationship with owners of sea going vessels.
The National President of the association, Engineer Henry Unuigbe who said this in an interview with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos last week, also disclosed that the association was able to place more than five seafarers who had previously not sailed on board sea going vessels last year.
He reiterated that the association is trying to synergize with some of the shipping lines to also engage the seafarers.
He added that: “What we are trying to do is to synergize with some of these shipping companies and we are already doing it. On our own, we try to negotiate on behalf of the seafarers and we have been doing it. Last year 2018, we were able to use our goodwill or contacts to be able to place some of these seafarers who have never sailed before and I think about five or six of them are happily sailing now. This year, we will continue in that direction we want to continue to build relationship with our ship owners”.
Unuigbe, also said that there are plans to meet with the management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, and some other maritime institutions including the River state University, Niger Delta University to see how they can assist the institutions.
He however disclosed that they have a lot of members who are qualified in different categories who can even take up part time teaching, just to help some of these institutions.
“There is work in progress to meet with the management of MAN, Oron, to see in what way we can assist, because we have professionals whose knowledge cuts across different areas. That is our plan this year; if you look at our calendar for 2019, there is a planned visit to not just MAN, Oron but to other institutions like the River state University, Marine department and Niger Delta University. So we will go and discuss with their management on the plans we have for them and the way we can support for them”, he said.
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