Marine surveyors seek enhanced capacity to benefit from local content

Guild of marine surveyors of Nigeria, the umbrella body of registered marine surveyors, cargo superintendents and maritime consultants is seeking appropriate policy direction that would promote professionalism among its members.

The body, which believes that it has not gotten enough government recognition and support to benefit from the country’s National Content Development, which targets to promote local capacity says the country is losing so much to capital flight for not using its services.

Monday Ogadina, president of the body who spoke during an interaction with journalist said despite the availability of professional marine surveyors in Nigeria, most of the businesses emanating from the local market still go offshore.

“We have not been impacted by the National Content Act because Nigerian’s were yet to be given the opportunity to do most of the jobs”.

Though he could not give specific figures to describe the losses due to lack of data, he however pointed that a lot could be done by local players to create value in the economy.

“There is need for a policy statement that empowers the surveyors to do their job unhampered. That will create job for Nigerians, Ogadina stated.

Ogadina who spoke alongside the other executive members stated that the efforts of the Guild now is to harness its membership across the country to be able to regulate and foster cooperation for the benefits of all stakeholders.

“We are mobilising our membership across the country because we must pursue a common goal and address our challenges, he said.

Guild of Marine Surveyors was established on 25th November 2004 and was registered with the corporate Affairs Commission on 21st March 2006.

With about 40 registered members, the number one objective is to promote professionalism and advancement of knowledge in the field of marine surveying which shall include services provided to marine and transport organisations, the production of guidance reports for all bodies connected with maritime operations including insurance companies.

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