The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Rivers State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to upgrade its maritime academy to a world class.
State Chairman, MWUN, ,Comrade Jonah Jumbo, stated this during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, recently.
Jumbo said, the upgrade became necessary so as to enable the academy accommodate local and foreign seafarers and give it certification of a global recognition.
According to him, the Federal Government should not play politics with the academy, but to revamp and reposition the institute by upgrading it to a world class training centre to enable it compete favourably with others and create job space for Nigerian seafarers.
“If the facilities at the academy are improved, it would attract foreign trainees to compete with our locals and give more recognition to the certification.
“The Oron and the maritime academy at Delta state should be properly upgraded, both in terms of personnel and facilities to face competition across the globe.
“If upgraded, companies and marine outfits, including foreign vessel owners, would no longer underrate our seafarers. It would also increase their chances of gaining employment in foreign sea worldwide,” he said.
The chairman berated some seafarers, who acquired or bought certificates without being properly training, thereby lacking competency and credibility on the job.
Jumbo appealed to marine companies in the country to always engage the services of local seafarers, arguing that the Nigerian seafarers can work and compete favourably in the world, irrespective of their background.