NIMASA sends 400 students Overseas for training

NSDP: NIMASA sends 400 students  Overseas for training

...Talks tough on truancy 

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA, has dispatched new 400 students to Greece and India for further study under its National Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, made this known  at the flag off ceremony of the third phase of the NSDP-TERRA  programme at Naval Dockyard Victoria Island, Lagos

Jamoh gave an insights on the  training programmes  which started in 2008 to empower the Nigerian youths to become Seafarers and Naval Architects as well as training them to degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) abroad.

This is meant to position them to compete effectively in the global maritime industry.

Jamoh said that from 2008 till date, the programme has enrolled 2,041 students, while 892 are now licensed deck and engine officers including naval Architects while the rest are in their final stage of the programme.

His words: “It may please the Minister to know that about 486 of the graduates are now gainfully employed and sailing in both coastal and ocean-going vessels within the country and outside the country.” 

The Director General said that the agency, with the Ministry of Transportation, have reviewed the areas of challenges and considered recruitment plan that selects the best candidates for the NSDP beneficiaries across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, by introducing a code of conduct for all beneficiaries enrolled on the programme to safeguard the image of the country, selection of Maritime Training Institutions, MTIs, that offers the three training elements of the programme (shore-based training, shipboard training and the certificate of competency).

He explained that this is to eliminate the long delay in securing sea time training berths that were experienced with the previous set of students with reasonable cost for the training and in countries of mutual recognition of CoC with Nigeria.

Jamoh  admonished the new students to be good  ambassadors of the country and warned that any student who fails to imbibe the code of conduct shall be deported, sanctioned and made to refund the tax payers’ money invested on him/her.

Jamoh noted that there are better prospects ahead of the students in their chosen careers, asking them not to truncate such opportunities.

“The past decade has witnessed an increase in the global trading fleet, partly on account of developments in Asia and other emerging opportunities.

NIMASA boss said the demand for seafarers has also increased on account of the Cabotage regime which requires that vessels engaged in commercial trade and operations in the coastal and inland waters in Nigeria should be manned by Nigerians.

” The expanding opportunities provided by the Liquefied Natural Gas projects have also been a major boost for manpower demand of the sector. With prospects for the commencement of operations of the Brass LNG, the expansion of the NLNG trains and the Olokola Gas project, manpower demand for that sector has doubled the existing number.

“Overall, the prospects for the future of the Nigerian shipping industry remain very bright in spite of the manpower constraints.

“To our youthful cadets, as you set sail, we make but only one demand of you – that you never lose sight of the mission of this voyage; avoid the foreign distractions that can cause a shipwreck to your budding careers and dedicate yourselves to the completion of your education so that your country’s huge investment will not be in vain.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime.” he counselled.

Minister of Transportation, Engr Mu'azu Jaji Sambo in his address said that the ministry  will continue to encourage and partner with NIMASA on NSDP and other policies on the development of a sustainable maritime-based economy, Blue Economy.

“We urge the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the nation and justify the massive investment in you.

” This programme is a rare opportunity that is highly sought after by your peers, but providence has placed it on you and must be guarded jealously for the development and benefit of the nation.

” We will continually monitor your progress in the programme and will not hesitate to discipline the recalcitrant ones among you", the minister threatened.