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Expert Wants Improvement In Seafarers’ Training, Certification

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A former Sole Adminis
trator of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Olu Akinsoji, has said that there is need to improve on the standards of training and certification of Nigerian seafarers.
Akinsoji, also a former Government Inspector of Ships (GIS) and a marine engineer, stated this in an interview with The Tide source on Thursday in Lagos.
According to him, we need to redeem the image of our training and certification of seafarers.
He commended efforts by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in screening maritime training institutions across the country to accredit the ones that could provide the training required in line with global best practices.
“Is delightful screening the maritime institutions provided those doing the appraisal are the right people.
“ NIMASA should put in writing the criteria for appraising the institutions so that the appraisal criteria will be applied across the board.
“So that there would be transparency and genuine appraisal. The result of the appraisal should be published and the courses appraised should also be published on the website of NIMASA,’’ Akinsoji said.
He said that the appraisal should cover all parameters like lecturers, courses, equipment and infrastructure.
“So long as the appraisal is done transparently, it is a welcome idea,’’ the marine engineer said.
He also assessed 12 years of Nigeria’s implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and noted that the Code should also be appraised.
Akinsoji, also the Acting Chairman, Society of Nigerian Mariners (SNM, said that “people still walked into the terminals without identity’’.
He said that every terminal operator should construct perimeter fencing, lighting and train the relevant security personnel.
“Areas that are supposed to be restricted areas should be thoroughly restricted.
“We still found boats moving around international ships. This is against the requirements of the ISPS Code,’’ he added.

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Maritime

NPA Warns Against Illegal Containers Stripping On Port Access Roads

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has warned against the illegal stripping of containers by drivers and terminal operators along the port access road.
Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, issued the warning during a visit to Tin-Can Island Port where he inspected designated container stripping yards around the port.
He warned that truckers caught in the act stand the risk of being delisted from the electronic call-up system platform managed by the Trucks Transit Parks (TTP).
Bello Koko said container stripping on the port access road violates operational guidelines and will no longer be condoned.
He also announced that NPA has rolled out standard operating procedures for barge operators.

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Maritime

BMTA Urges FG To Fix Moribund Refineries

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Following the incessant hikes on petroleum pump price in the country, Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to fix all the moribund refineries to production capacity
The Association said the repairs of the refineries would reduce the high cost of petrol pump price and alleviate poverty in the land.
Safety officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Dume, stated this to TheTide during an interview in Port Harcourt.
Dume, who decried the hardship ordinary Nigerians were facing, said boat users hardly travel by water due to high cost of transport fare.
He said a boat journey from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island now cost between N6000 and N6500 per passenger, making it difficulty for travelers to board boats to and from their home town.
According to him, if the pump price keeps skyrocketing, there is every tendency that boat fare may be increased from N6000 to N8000 per passenger this Christmas season
He further noted that the inability of the Federal Government to repair the refineries has brought untold hardships, hunger and suffering to homes.
“Cost of living has skyrocketed everywhere and everyday, the poor can no longer go to market, parents can no longer pay bills and most children have dropped from schools due to poverty and hardships”, he stated.
He lamented that most boat operators were no longer in business due to high cost of procuring spare parts, engine oil and patrol to power their boats.
Comrade Dume appealed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to see reasons and fix all the moribund refineries for use to end hardship and poverty ravaging the land.
He noted that the repair of the refineries by this administration “would bring succour and confidence to an average Nigerian”.

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Maritime

Customs Partners Copyright Commission To End Piracy

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In a bid to end all forms of piracy and other social vices, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to end piracy of intellectual and creative property in Nigeria.
Customs said their collaboration would create opportunities for the two parties to establish a significant legacy that will end the menace of piracy in the country.
Comptroller General, Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while receiving members of the Commission at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
He explained that the NCS had concluded plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, enhancing its programmes in all aspects through creative activities and training of its staff.
On the need to organize training for the Service’s officers in combating piracy, Adeniyi said, “the programme will introduce officers and men of the Service to new values and expertise that would enhance their capacity and morale to fight piracy”.
The Comptroller General, who noted the importance of the collaboration, said protecting creative and intellectual property significantly contributes to the country’s economic growth.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and Director General, NCC, Dr. John Asein, expressed his appreciation to the NCS for the importance of addressing piracy of intellectual and creative property.
“The idea behind paying this courtesy visit to you, Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was to congratulate you on your appointment and to extend our hands for collaboration to end piracy”, he stated.
The DG further explained that “apart from strengthening the creative skills of officers and men in various sectors, the commission would achieve its mandate by working with the NCS”.

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