Capacity building to facilitate qualitative employment within cabotage regime is our goal – DG NIMASA

Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, director general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has restated the agency’s commitment to building capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector with a view to facilitate qualitative employment within the cabotage regime.

Akpobolokemi stated that the agency’s investment in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) and the facilitation of the establishment of institutes of maritime studies in four Nigerian universities were a clear testament to the commitment to building capacity for the industry.

The director general, who spoke through the agency’s executive director, maritime labour and cabotage services, Callistus Obi, at this year’s seafarers day celebration in Port Harcourt, appealed to stakeholders in the industry to encourage Nigerian youths to seek careers at sea.

In his words, “The overwhelming interest showed by Nigerian youths in the seafaring profession calls for support from all industry stakeholders in the maritime sector to assist in capacity development, especially in the area of onboard training. We at NIMASA have been placing cadets’ onboard cabotage vessels as part of mandatory requirements for obtaining their Competency Certificates”, he stated.