THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMA-SA, has expressed concern over the prolife-ration of maritime training institutions just it has concluded plans to shut down any academy  that do not meet the basic training require-ment.

Speaking at the regional seminar to amend the  Standard of Training Certification and Watch-keeping, STCW, convention of International Maritime Organisation, NIMASA’s Director-General, Mr. Temisan Omatseye, said that the proliferation without proper regula-tion and supervision by relevant authorities and administration, contri-butes to the challenges associated with certifica-tion.

Omatseye stated that the amendments are well thought out guidelines that have great poten-tials to strengthen the impact on the seafaring profession.

He also said that NIMASA has commen-ced moves to create an audit scheme to evaluate these training centres, reiterating that NIMASA is responsible for setting the standards for the training of seafarers.

He explained that these institutions will be given time to raise their standards of training, adding that if after the expiration of the period no changes are done to improve on the training processes, NIMASA will have no choice than to close down such institu-tion.

His said: “The prolife-ration of training institu-tions without proper regulation and supervi-sion by relevant authori-ties and administration contributed substantially to the challenge associa-ted with certification.

“In Africa, and particularly from our own experience as an administration, the challenge of certificate authentication is real and complex.
“Thus the amendment on the improved measures to strengthen the evaluation process and prevent fraudulent practices associated with Certificate of Compe-tence as well as introduc-tion of modern training methodology including distance learning and web-based learning, are commendable as they are of particular interest in our circumstance as developing countries.”

Omatseye disclosed that there are over 25,000 vacancies in the seafaring profession, adding that the world is looking up to Africa and  Nigeria is being targeted to meet the demand of world’s maritime labour supply.

Although Omatseye said that the agency has a fair idea of the number of unapproved institu-tions, he revealed that a comprehensive list of such academies is being drawn up.

Some of the approved academies and training institutions includes: Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Akwa-Ibom State; Chaltins and Elkins maritime training centres.

MAN is, however, the only government-owned academy, while the two others are are privately owned and are limited to the teaching of IMO accredited courses.