A call has gone to the federal government to privatize the only government- owned maritime institution; the Maritime Academy of Nigeria [MAN] Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
This call was made in Lagos, last week by the Managing Director of Elkins Marine Training International Nigeria Limited, Chief Hugh Friday Nwaneri,
Nwaneri stated that for the MAN to develop from its present position to a globally recognized marine institution, there is need to invite private hands to manage the topmost training institution of the maritime sector.
A call has gone to the federal government to privatize the only government- owned maritime institution; the Maritime Academy of Nigeria [MAN] Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
This call was made in Lagos, last week by the Managing Director of Elkins Marine Training International Nigeria Limited, Chief Hugh Friday Nwaneri,
Nwaneri stated that for the MAN to develop from its present position to a globally recognized marine institution, there is need to invite private hands to manage the topmost training institution of the maritime sector.
He averred that corruption and the high level of ‘indigenous’ participation in the running of the academy has been one of the challenges that is hampering the growth of the government- owned maritime institution.
He said that MAN has everything that will make it to catch- up with other global maritime institutions, but alleged that good management has always been a factor in the growth of the institution.
According to him, the problems of MAN, Oron are not an exception of what is common to other government- owned higher institutions in the country.
Nwaneri noted that government should invite technocrats and consultants from within and outside the country on the possibility of overseeing the affairs of the academy.
‘’MAN Oron is an all- comers academy, that is why things are difficult and if it were to be owned by an individual, such a person will know what to do. In other words, government put that school in the hands of private individuals to manage.’’
‘’If MAN is given to a private organization to manage with a mandate to deliver, we will get result at the end of the day. Government can invest in a private firm with the technical know- how of maritime training and administration’’.
The Elkins Marine boss also urged that the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] to lend a hand to aid other privately owned maritime institutions across the country to encourage youths.
According to him, the apex maritime agency in the country has not fared better in the area of rendering assistance to smaller training institutes, outside the MAN.
However, he noted that the most Nigerian seafarers are not recognized globally due to the nature of trainings that they obtain in the country, which according to him, may not be up standard as against their foreign counterparts.
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