Apparently determined to contribute its quota to the development of the nation’s shipping sector, the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors [AMES] has reiterated its willingness to put its diverse expertise at the disposal of government and top players and actors in the sector.
Apparently determined to contribute its quota to the development of the nation’s shipping sector, the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors [AMES] has reiterated its willingness to put its diverse expertise at the disposal of government and top players and actors in the sector.
The group which is made up of seasoned marine engineers, marine surveyors who have sailed on international waters and have attained a high level of professionalism spanning decades, said last week that the nation’s maritime sector is in dire need of inputs from experts like its members.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos last week, national president of the association, Engineer Charles Uwadia noted that marine engineers and surveyors have been sidelined in the maritime sector, adding that with the vast experience of members of the association, it can contribute a lot to the growth of the industry.
Uwadia said that there is the need for marine engineers and surveyors to monitor some of the vessels that often sail into the nation’s waters because some are without class.
According to him, the Nigerian banks are reluctant to support shipping investors to acquire vessels due to the lack of sound advice from experts.
‘’The whole idea of this meeting is to highlight the anomalies in the industry and we want to try and correct them. We want to try and brief all the stakeholders on why it is absolutely necessary to consult a marine engineer when you need to purchase a vessel , when you bring a vessel across to the country and sometimes a lot of people consult quack surveyors who are not actually qualified, which most of them look into the commercial aspect of the vessel without looking at the technical aspect of the vessel and in most cases they want the surveyor to bring the report that they want because they want the vessel to sail and this are the things we want to put right in the industry’’, he stated.
‘’We are here to move the maritime industry forward ,we are here to contribute our own quota to make sure that some of the vessels that come into the country are in a very good state ,we are here to do everything possible to be recognized and assist in anyway possible to move the maritime industry forward’’.
Earlier in his speech, national secretary of AMES; Engineer Israel Obadan who spoke on behalf of the members ,said that the group has continued to build on professional skills and competency in areas of maritime administration ,dockyard and ship repair management ,marine casualty investigation ,marine inspections and ship surveys ,training and examination of seafarers and advisers and consultants to various investors on risk management and quality assurance”.
Obadan stressed that the maritime industry is attractive for investment because of the large volume of local and international trade.
According to him, more than 80% of Nigeria’s crude oil export is coastal and offshore, noting that Nigeria waters require extensive shipping activities which include oil rigs, offshore service, vessels of various sizes, specifications and configurations.
He noted that the industry players are struggling to feel the effect of policy of indigenous carriage of goods and the laws to support the policy are concealed.
Flanked by other executives of the association, Obadan added that, ‘’we believe that the vital link to move the nation’s maritime industry forward and to attract genuine investors is the strength of the professionals in the various aspects of the industry and it is the reason that the association is re-echoing and reminding the nation that it is not as if there are no professionals, but that our authorities should utilize the expertise of professional bodies like ours to achieve the overall national objectives’’.
‘’If we must achieve indigenous capacity and provide comparative services ,our association must be encouraged ,embraced and motivated by the authorities to form group that will strengthen the industry ,carry forward progressive policies that will benefit the nation, Obadan stressed.
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