A retired Rear Admiral and former Minister of Transport, Festus Porbeni, has called on the Federal Government to give priority to the development of the nation’s diving sector as a means of creating massive employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Porbeni, who is also the Chairman of Bics Garden, made this appeal while speaking with journalists recently. He lamented the continued neglect of the sector, which he said holds enormous potential for job creation in the face of rising youth unemployment in the country.
The maritime expert stressed the need for the establishment of modern, state-of-the-art diving training institutions, which would provide professional training for divers who could operate in diverse sectors such as oil and gas, maritime operations, underwater archaeology, and the marine and blue economy.
“In this country, there are not many divers. Diving schools are very few. So we have foreigners doing diving jobs for us in all areas including oil exploration, diving and repair, pipeline works and other related fields,” he said.
Porbeni, who noted his experience as a Frogman and naval diver, highlighted the numerous advantages of having skilled divers in the country, stating that professional divers are capable of handling underwater tasks such as propeller repairs, underwater pipeline installation, anti-fouling operations, underwater exploration and other critical marine operations.
He decried the current situation where many Nigerians are compelled to seek diving training in foreign countries such as South Africa, describing it as a challenge that requires urgent attention from the government.
“If Nigerians have to go to South Africa and other countries to be trained on diving, it is a challenge. Hence, there is a need to establish diving schools that will train young Nigerians to become experts and obtain necessary certifications,” he added.
Speaking further, the former minister also reflected on some of his achievements during his tenure at the Ministry of Transportation, including the dredging of River Niger and efforts to address challenges associated with siltation.
He urged the government to prioritise the dredging of the nation’s inland waterways and river ports to enhance the transportation system and promote the use of waterways as a viable means for the movement of goods and passengers.
Porbeni also emphasized the importance of synergy and collaboration among key government agencies, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and state-level bodies such as the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), in driving the development of inland waterways transport.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for his bold economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market, as well as ongoing construction of coastal roads and super highways, Porbeni called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the current administration, assuring that the tough economic measures will yield positive results in due course.
“It has been 26 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999. There have been challenges, conflicts and heated electoral processes; but the nation has stood firm. This is something that is worth celebrating even as we look forward to achieving more with democracy,” he stated.
