Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Alumni Association of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), Oron, Akwa-Ibom, has advised the federal government to put in place a 100-year port development plan that will continue to respond to the dynamic nature of the nation’s port industry.
In a statement signed by the president of the group, Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, it was explained that if such a port development plan is put in place, it will move the industry forward for growth.
Mr Maiguwa also said that a system of incentive on port fess suitable to operate coastal and inland container cargo vessel must be put in place so as to make shipowners begin to look at the possibilities of owning freighters.
According to him, freighter vessels contribute more to creating dock labour employment opportunities in the maritime labour industry.
The group also commended the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its newly initiated electronic call system for trucks into the ports, saying that “If well implemented, the initiative will temporarily reduce traffic congestion in our ports.”
The leader of the association suggested that a minimum standard be set up for trucks coming into the ports, noting that some rickety trucks were worse than junkyards scraps.
He said: “It is for this simple reason of road unworthiness that they eventually breakdown on their way out of the port and cause congestion on the port access roads.
“If this gap is not addressed, it would mess up the electronic call-up system.”
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is a federal government-owned educational institute in Oron, Akwa Ibom State. It was originally called the Nautical College of Nigeria and was established in 1979 to educate and train shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel. The first batch of cadets graduated in 1983.
