As  Maritime Stakeholders task FG on Infrastructure, Training Facilities, Maritime Safety and Security, inadequate manpower, obsolete laws, scarcity of Funds, Lack of Political will, cargo diversion and its attendant effects on the economy amongst others.

The All Nigerian Maritime Journalists Retreat, convened by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, AMJON, was intended to look at issues affecting development of the maritime and the Oil and Gas sectors. To avoid distractions and ensure maximum concentration, the serene environment of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, in Topo Badagry was chosen.

Paper after paper, stakeholders and agencies of the federal government, highlighted issues from their perspective. The management team of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, led by the Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Mkpandiok Ante was at ASCON, Topo for the Retreat.

Delivering his paper titled THE TASK OF TRAINING QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS FOR THE MARITIME, OIL AND GAS SECTORS: THE MAN, ORON MANDATE, Mr. Mkpandiok told participants that the Academy established over thirty nine years ago has produced renowned maritime professionals who have distinguished themselves on the local and international frontiers of maritime operations.

From historical background to present day realities, Mkpandiok reaffirmed that MAN, Oron, has the capacity to train and provide the requisite manpower needs for the maritime/Oil and Gas sectors if adequate funds and needed training equipment are procured for the Academy by the federal government.

“We have as at today in the Academy, a functional 270 Degrees Advanced Ship-Handling Simulator (Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator) and 360 Degrees Full Mission Bridge Simulator. The Cadets Refectory has been expanded to accommodate over a 1,000 cadets at the same time.

Hostel facilities for both male and female cadets are being expanded to match the increasing demand for training in the Academy”, Mkpandiok said.

In terms of partnerships and collaboration, the Registrar told participants that “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron has for the last one and a half decades played a vital role in the continued admission of Nigeria into the International Maritime Organisation’s “White List” of countries seen to be giving full and complete effect to the provisions of the STCW Convention. To further strengthen the quality of Maritime Education and Training in the Academy, the institution has technical assistance, partnership, acceptance, accreditation or cooperation arrangements with the following organisations:

1. i) The International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
2. ii) The World Maritime University (WMU)

iii)        Maritime and Coast Guard Agency of the United Kingdom             (UK-MCA)

1. iv) Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
2. v) The Nautical Institute
3. vi) Council for the Regulation of Registered Engineers (COREN)

vii)       Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

viii)      Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, London

1. ix) International Maritime Lecturers Association (IMLA)
2. x) National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and
3. xi) Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

While calling for greater funding to enable the Academy meet its training needs and obligations, Mr. Mkpandiok stated that the surge in demand for admission into the Academy has stretched facilities on campus; thus making the need for a training ship for Cadets much more imperative, not just for the Academy but for Nigeria as a maritime nation.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, The Nigerian Shippers’ Council,  NSC, The Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA, The Nigerian Navy are among Federal Government agencies that presented papers at the retreat.

From the Private sector came Mr. Lucky Amiwero, an international consultant on port management, transports and logistics chain management and Mr. Sam Egube, Chairman Alt Assist Ltd.

The All Nigerian Maritime Journalists Retreat 2016 was rounded off with a guided tour of the Slave Trade Sites/Relics at Badagry.

High Chief Menu Toyon, the Mobee of Badagry Kingdom, in an interview session with journalists, spoke on the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port and other related issues.