Decries non release of funds for critical projects at the Academy

Few months after the Chairman governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Chief Ademola Seriki challenged management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, on the need to release MAN’s statutory funds in order to carry out the Federal Government envisioned restructuring/repositioning of the Academy, indications are that Chief Ademola Seriki is still not satisfied with NIMASA on the issue of funding of the Academy.

Notwithstanding promises by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside to the effect that NIMASA would do everything possible on its part to ensure smooth Restructuring efforts, feelers from the Academy reveal that contractors who have done their jobs diligently are being owed by the Academy.

We gathered that pace of work on structures/facilities as part of ongoing Repositioning efforts is also being affected for lack of funds as contractors and other service providers continue to mount pressure on the Governing Council and Management of MAN for payment for work/services rendered.

Recall that at the Passing out Parade. POP, last year, Chief Seriki and Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, Executive Director, Operations, who represented the Director General of NIMASA at the event, had a hot verbal exchange on the funding issue.

Chief Ademola Seriki unleashed the first salvo when he accused MINASA of not doing enough in the provision of funds for the Academy:

Chief Seriki was irked by the fact that the “at least 5%” provision does not restrict NIMASA to giving MAN 5% of the gross annual earnings of NIMASA.

Sitting side by side, the lid was flung open when yours truly asked the Chairman what he considers as the most pressing challenge of the Academy.

The conversation went like this:

Seriki: NIMASA should give us more money instead of spending so much on NSDP. We have the capacity to provide the trainings they seek outside if they give us the kind of funding we need to provide what is required…

Fashakin: haaa chief, what are you talking about? Under this management we have done a lot, we deserve commendation not condemnation and you know it…

Seriki: ehenn you know we need funds to do a lot of work here, you have been to other Maritime Academies outside Nigeria. You saw the structures and facilities they have…we can do better…Nigeria can do much better.

Fashakin: ehehhen Chief, you should appreciate our efforts…you are behaving like Oliver Twist, haba..NIMASA has given priority to MAN in the area of funding, the DG was here to see things for himself and he did say in our meetings that the Academy needs a lot of facilities such as books, quality lecturers etc and he has made commitments which NIMASA is bound to fulfill, show some gratitude chief.

Seriki: Dakuku is trying but he can do better. The things we need here are many if this Academy is to reclaim its position among maritime Academies in the world. Technology has changed the way and manner of maritime operations. The tools and technologies have changed, there are so many displacements caused by new discoveries and innovations. Without funds there’s not much we can do. If NIMASA releases about 10/15% of its earnings to MAN, I can assure you the world will come trooping here to learn and see how things are done. Trust me Nigeria can attract so much foreign exchange through proper funding of this Academy

Fashakin: Chief chief, we are in the same boat, no need to over stretch this matter. The fact remains that the Academy has never had it so good. What we have done for the Academy under this short period is on record as the best in recent years. We are a team. Be assured that we have accorded MAN a place of priority even as we grapple with lots of challenges…

Seriki: Which challenges are you grappling with…leave all this your grammar and do the needful. Let me tell you, this Academy is highly rated globally. Let us uphold and make it stronger. I have said my own and you must take the message home.

Fashakin: I will chief, I will…

Whether the message was delivered or not there the NIMASA Director General is very much aware of the needs of the Academy.

Specifically, during his visit to the Academy, Dr. Dakuku Peterside had promised that NIMASA will do everything within its power to make the Academy realize its Training objective.

Speaking at the Academy Dakuku said “Let me make it very clear that NIMASA will offer help and support in all areas of need. This will include bringing in core maritime professionals as external lecturers, initiating engagements and negotiations with affiliate organizations on exchange of programmes and facilities, acquiring simulators, ensuring timely release of funds due the institution, including donations of books.

“I give you my word that NIMASA will go all out to support the present Management of the Academy because we are convinced beyond words of its capacity to deliver, so that together we can advance the vision of the maritime industry in this country”.

Maritime stakeholders are optimistic that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria which is cruising ahead on high speed will neither encounter wrecks nor bureaucratic delays in the present ongoing Restructuring/Repositioning voyage.