The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, says efforts are on to transform the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom state into a degree- awarding institution.
Umar made this known in a paper entitled: “The Nigerian Maritime Sector: an Overview’’, which he delivered at the presidential workshop on maritime sector held in Abuja on Monday.
He said the Academy which was established in 1979 as Nautical College and later as an Academy, was the only institution for basic training of seafarers in the country.
The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, says efforts are on to transform the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom state into a degree- awarding institution.
Umar made this known in a paper entitled: “The Nigerian Maritime Sector: an Overview’’, which he delivered at the presidential workshop on maritime sector held in Abuja on Monday.
He said the Academy which was established in 1979 as Nautical College and later as an Academy, was the only institution for basic training of seafarers in the country.
He said the institution was designed to provide the required manpower support for indigenous maritime development in Nigeria.
According to him, the academy is an international institution recognised by the International Maritime Organization.
The minister added that the Academy had so far graduated 4,120 cadets in Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and other mandatory short courses in the maritime sector.
“The institution also graduated 32 post-graduates diploma students in both Maritime Engineering and Business Studies in 2011”, he disclosed.
He announced that the ongoing reform in the maritime sector had attracted investment of more than US$830 million and created 15,254 direct employments in the sector.
“As a result of the reforms, the overall operational efficiency in the ports has been steadily improving, and there is appreciable increase in infrastructure provision and maintenance by both the Federal Government and the concessionaires.
“In specific terms the concessionaires have made fair investments as follows: Cargo handling equipment – 453 million dollars, Terminal development – 377 million dollars, Compliance with ISPS Code, a number of jobs had been created, at least 15,254 direct employments.
“The Federal Government on its own part has committed substantial resources in line with concession agreements.
“The dredging and regular maintenance of the channels: Lagos channel in particular was dredged from 8meters to 13.5meters, Bonny Channel dredged from 7meters to 12meters, Calabar channel is to be dredged. We expect that this year the Calabar dredging will commence.’’
The minister also said that procurement process was in progress for consultancy for the provision of rail lines at Tin Can Island, Lagos and Onne Ports in Port Harcourt as well as the dredging of Warri- Koko channel through Escravos.
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