By Ignatius Chukwu
A sensitive facility that is expected to boost maritime policy formulation though professional training for global competitiveness has been unveiled in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
The unveiling took place Sunday, May 28, 2023, where the Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) witnessed heavy activity.
The unveiling was done by the management of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA) led by the Director-General, Dr Bashir Jamoh with the support of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The cutting of the tape was done by the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo; who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene N. Ajani.
Others who lent support were Ag Board Chairman of NIMASA, Ahmed Abubakar; Port Services Director, Onne, Yusuf Barde; Director of the Centre, Prof Osai Akpogemi; and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) University of Port Harcourt, the professor, Prof Clifford Obiyo Ofurum.
Dr Jamoh said the Logistics Centre in the Uniport is expected to produce workers that would lead Nigeria’s maritime to global levels.
The DG said the project is part of the education development scheme of NIMASA. “In 2018 when I was doing my doctorate degree in the Uniport, under the able supervision of the man who today is Director of the Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies, Prof Osai Akpogemi, I was supported to identify causes of maritime insecurity in Nigeria, and this study lasted for two years.
“We saw greed, poverty, poor governance, poor human capital capacity, etc, as the main factors.” He told a story to show how greed is one of the most dangerous factors to the insecurity in the land and the sector.
He said these bad actions lead to maritime insecurity. He also said training is critical because that is one of the best ways to confront insecurity.
“Education and training are key to anything else government wants. The maritime industry is in disarray but we have gone far to install stability. We have engineered policy management and policies that can move maritime industry to global levels, and these policies will help the youth to contribute to the growth of the economy.
“We have just handed over 11 vessels (Platforms) to fight infrastructure decay. This centre is to address youth menace. The Honourable Minister (as represented) is here to commission the centre that will produce workers that will lead the industry.’
He said the centre would help to generate policies and policy advice to the FG. “The Ministry, the FG, the Rivers State government, etc played very important roles to see to this outcome. President Muhammadu Buhari approved the plan and the budget. We worked closely with the vice chancellor. This is the second university in rating in Nigeria and the first in the south-south.”
The minister’s representative, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said the centre in the Uniport would be furnished to standards to enable the students to function effectively.
Speaking, Dr Ajani, who represented the Minister of Transportation, Ma’azu Jaji Sambo, said the Minister is passionate about the project.
She joked that the DG has decided to give back to his constituency (referring to Kaduna and PH). On a more serious note, she said the PH facility was the first of six projects in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
She assured that furnishing must be done by NIMASA, saying; “NIMASA does not donate building not furnished.”
The Minister, who spoke through Dr Ajani, said: “This is evidence of FG’s determination to provide infrastructure. The target is to boost human capital development. This place will serve as a centre to develop competitiveness.”
The Minister said students will compete with global standards. “They will have world class facilities to train and aspire to contest with the best in the world in their chosen field.”
