MARGARET CHIDERA
The Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Retd), has lauded the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for their support to enable the institution to provide 12 simulator courses.
Provision of these courses has upgraded and transformed the nation’s premier Maritime institution to a world-class maritime education and training centre.
The simulator courses include: Ship Simulator & Bridge Teamwork (SSBT), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) General Operators Certificate, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); Radar Navigation, Radar- Plotting and Use of ARPA (RNRPA); Liquid Cargo & Ballast Handling Simulator (LCBHS).
Others are Bridge Watch-Keeping Preparatory Course (BWPC); Engine Room Simulator (Operational Level) Course (ERSOL); Engine Room Simulator (Management Level) Course (ERSML); High Voltage Course (HV); Auxiliary Engine Familiarization Course (AEFC); Boiler Familiarization Course (BFC) and Engine Room Watch-keeping Preparatory Course (ERWPC).
Speaking on Tuesday in Oron, during the presentation of certificates to the first batch of trainees of Engine Room Simulator (Operational Level) Course after their successful completion of training in the Academy, Efedua said the journey to bring the Academy at par with its counterparts in the global maritime sector began in 2018 with commencement of procurement of top-notch training facilities which culminated in their installation and utilisation, processes.
He said the facilities was approved by the Federal Government as the Federal Ministry of Transportation supported his administration’s desires to ensure gradual transformation of the Academy, as specified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
The Rector said that with the continued support being enjoyed from the Ministry and NIMASA, the Academy will sustain its new status as one of the very best Maritime Education and Training Institutions in the world and even rise higher in the nearest future.
While interacting with the First Batch of Trainees of the Radar Navigation, Radar-Plotting and Use of ARPA (RNRPA) Course, the Rector also expressed his happiness as the institution commenced Simulator-based Courses with adding that the task was possible through approval and back by NIMASA.
He reminded the trainees that the Academy, with NIMASA’s approval, now offer twelve (12) Simulator-based Courses for the training of Seafarers to enhance their professional development.
Efedua observed that the foreign exchange that would be saved by Nigeria through availability of the Simulator-based Courses in the Academy, and at very considerable fees, could better be channelled to other areas of critical national needs.
“Hitherto, Nigerians needed huge foreign exchange to undertake these same courses abroad at very high costs.
“Today is yet another memorable day for us at the Academy, because we have graduated the first set of students from our newly developed Simulator- based Courses. I am highly appreciative of the roles played by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Management of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency towards the realisation of this Academy’s aspiration.
“This feat, though it was not an easy one, would not have been achieved without their unflinching support,” he stated.
While interacting with our Correspondent, one of the pioneer batch students and former cadet as well as Third Engineer at the World Carrier Ship Management, Engr. Patrick Audu, expressed he was satisfied with quality of training he received adding that the training facilities, learning environment and quality of instructors were of international standard.
Audu commended Management of the Academy for raising the bar of education and training in the institution and urged other industry workers to endeavour to avail themselves of the various simulator-based training offered at the Academy instead of spending money to travel abroad for same training which is equally available in Nigeria at cheaper rate.
“I must say that I am very impressed at the new look that my alma mata is wearing, it is quite impressive.
“I was here as a Cadet in 2014, I know how it was back then, coming back to see the level at which the institution has been transformed is quite encouraging. I want to appreciate the Management of the Academy for putting this in place and I want to tell them to ensure it is sustained. I also want to encourage my colleagues in the industry to come and get trained at the Academy instead of going abroad to spend money on a course they can get at the Academy and at a cheaper rate,” he said.
