The maritime industry requires skilled manpower to drive the growth process. Both the middle and high level manpower needed in the industry are difficult to come by due to the specialized skills required. It is estimated that Nigeria with a long maritime coastline could earn substantial revenue from the maritime industry as much as it earns from crude oil.
This explains why the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron was established by the Federal Government more than three decades ago. Specifically, the Academy which has since become a world class training institution for the maritime industry has as its vision to be internationally recognized as a centre of excellence in maritime training. With a mission to provide the merchant navy, the maritime industry and allied industries qualitative education and training that accords with up-to-date technology, meets national and international standards and satisfies user expectations. The academy in the last couple of years under the leadership of Nseyen Ebong has made significant strides in meeting this goal.
As a foremost maritime training institution in the country with high quality of cadets, the oil and gas industries are continuously seeking the services of both its graduates and the academy itself. For the graduates, they are being sought because of the skilled needed in the maritime industry while the academy has been equipped for training to meet international standards. To maintain the high standard of academic activities it is known for, it has entered into partnership with various organisations both for the training of cadets and other allied personnel as well as for the mounting of specialized courses for the oil and gas industry.
One company that has taken the partnership to a new level is Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). According to the managing director, Chima Ibeneche, the company was moved to partner with the academy due to the dearth of human capital in maritime industry. Though Nigeria is credited as being the most populous country in Africa, he said the dearth of human capital in all sectors of Nigerian economy has become a source of concern, stressing that the story is not different in the maritime industry.
To strengthen NLNG’s collaborative venture with MAN Oron, the company has funded projects and donated several training equipment to the academy. Recently the company presented the Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) equipment to the academy. The equipment which is estimated to cost about N100 million is for the training of Nigerian seamen and other marine operators. Other items installed by the company for the academy include one set of enclosed life boat, a set of six person’s Davit-launched Rescue Boat and12 person’s Davit-launched life raft.
On his part, the rector of the academy, Nseyebong Ebong, noted that NLNG in 2004 donated critical training items worth N30 million adding that this was followed by the donation of another set of equipment worth more than N20 million. He pointed out that for several years now, NLNG has maintained the policy of recruiting every year about 25 graduates of the academy into its employment. Nigeria LNG currently has in its employment, more than 100 ex-cadets of the Academy, with some in top management positions. The project which started in 2005, the rector said gives credence to the workability and potential achievements of the Public-Private Partnership model.
For the NLNG management, the organisation is working towards develop the Nigerian Maritime industry in line with the company’s vision of helping to grow a better Nigeria. It is also working together with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on ways to make the Nigerian flag and ship register to be of international standards, as well as increase the country’s fleet and provide greater opportunity for Nigerians.
According to the NLNG boss, there was no reason why a country such as Philippines should enjoy huge revenue from supplying maritime labour to most of the world when Nigeria could do same with long coastline. Ibeneche explained that a significant number of youths if properly trained would be able to take up gainful employment in the maritime industry, stressing that when one considers the number of vessels that come into the country’s ports daily, the justification for developing the capacity and the skills required in the industry becomes apparent. He moreover assured that a significant milestone has been recorded in the quest to develop skilled manpower for the maritime industry, expressing satisfaction that the first set of eleven maritime cadets recruited in 1998 has graduated and were serving as senior and middle level officers on the NLNG fleet.
As the maritime industry continues to play a key role in the nation’s economy, skilled manpower would continue to be in high demand. This explains the significance of the collaboration between the two bodies which has blossomed for their mutual benefits.
In the long run, the partnership could prove to the solution to the funding challenges affecting tertiary institutions in the country, Ibeneche explained.