“As we re-engineer and re-strategize”

Abdul-Kadir Ahmed, MD/CEO, NSML

Managing director of NLNG Shipping and Maritime Services Ltd, NSML Mr. Abdul-Kadir Ahmed has disclosed that the company, as a people oriented organization which is committed to National development/citizens wellbeing, is fully committed to ensuring growth and sustainability of  efforts at taking shipping and maritime operations to advanced levels in Nigeria.

Speaking at the 2023 fleet officers’  conference and long service award, gala night/dinner for staff and spouses of the company in Lagos after the London version of the same event, Abdulkadir said the event is intended to appreciate the men and women who man and handle assets of the company.

According to him, “We are here to interact with our staff who work on board our vessels and those who are saddled with the responsibility of managing our assets and investments around the world”

 “The Fleet Officers’ Conference is intended by management to hold every two years to enable leadership of the company engage with our crew for appraisal, evaluation, interaction, reviews, socialize, chart way forward and optimize our potentials. The last we had was in 2019 before Covid19 disruptions”

“We are happy to gather here in Lagos at this time to say thank you to our officers and those who, in response to the call of duty have to be away from their families for Months”

The MD was emphatic that NSML places a very high premium value on all cadre of staff of the company at all locations.

“To ensure that our staff participate and engage with management at this event,  we had a similar conference and interaction in London few weeks back where the gathering was 85% foreign staff and 15% Nigerian. This one in Nigeria is 85% Nigerian staff and 15% foreign counterpart. The idea is to bring us together as a family; unwind, socialize and engage one another in a relaxed setting”

On NSML Nigerianization project, the MD affirmed that  NLNG/NSML has the capacity to bring it to bear if management so decides but as an international company the need to have a blend of cross-cultural fertilization of ideas/citizens of the world is important if the company is to have and maintain is global outlook and operational efficiency

Asked about its MoU with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Abdulkadir said seafaring is global with global standards.

“For instance, in aviation, you cannot have a Nigerian pilot. Anyone who wants to be a pilot must get global certification and that is how it is in maritime/shipping”.

“The Academy in recent years has moved from where it used to be to become globally competitive and attractive. It has complied with international standards and we are very excited by developments at the Academy; we are partners in progress with MAN and our partnership is of immense mutual benefit” Abdulkadir said.