‘Make Maritime Academy, ORON world-class institution’- Mkpandiok

The Federal Government has been urged to make the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, a world-class institution to contribute to the national economy.

Its Acting Rector, Mkpandiok Ante Mkpandiok, said the institution needed money to surmount its cash challenges, perform effectively and export seafarers.

The challenges, according to him, include inadequate training equipment, vessels, simulation, access- to-sea time experience by cadets and underfunding
Mkpandiok said he would be happy when the country starts to export the academy’s seafarers to boost its economy. He urged foreign and indigenous ship owners to support the government by placing the academy’s cadets on board their ship for training.

According to him, South Africa has a maritime training agreement with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to train it cadets. Mkpandiok said the academy was owing some contractors for some projects executed in the school. 

He said the contractors have petitioned the Presidency, Police and the National Assembly. He promised to pay them when cash is available. “The school with over 40 management staff has one mind. We have decided to work together to move the school forward and if the government grants approval to the plans that we have, in the next two years we will transform the institution to an enviable status,” he said.