The Association of Marine Radio Officers ( AMREO) has accused the acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello Koko for lack of knowledge about maritime industry based issues mostly as it affects marine communication professionals.
AMREO stated on Tuesday in a chat with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA exclusively in Lagos that the marine department of the NPA would have been in a better position to advise the acting MD about the existence of professional mariners in the communication circle before speaking to the public.
Recall that Bello Koko , had said that there are no certified ship radio technicians and other experts required for effective ship repair and maintenance services in the country.
Koko said he learnt about Nigeria’s lack of certified ship repair and maintenance technicians when he accompanied the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on a visit to Greece recently.
Koko said Greek ship owners informed him and other officials on the trip that they do not service and maintain their vessels in Nigeria because of the absence of certified technicians and experts.
Secretary of AMREO, Engr. Matthew Alalade while responding to the comments , noted that marine radio technicians are contractors to the apex maritime regulatory agency and ship owners in Nigeria, urging Bello Koko to seek proper clarification about the existence of the association and the mariners.
Alalade that the statement from the MD sends wrong signal to the international shipping community pointing out certified mariners are on ground engaging ship owners and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA on contracts basis.
According to him, the statement credited to the acting MD was a clear indication of his limited knowledge about core maritime operations calling on the Marine Department to always guide him as part of efforts to discourage false information.
Alalade who is a former National President,Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association , expressed dissatisfaction over the comments, advising the NPA boss to carry out proper and adequate research work on the marine professions
The marine survey expert said the body of radio and communication experts exist in Nigeria saying some members of the association are product of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) while others are trained on communication from reputable maritime institutions locally and internationally.
“He (Koko) is not well informed on this issue, that he should have defended the statement credited to the Greek maritime stakeholders.
“The name of our association is AMREO. Association of Marine Radio Officers. Based on what the MD NPA was quoted saying,
“We have decided to meet next Tuesday for a meeting .
“Importantly the MD could have looked at the other side of the coin by verifying back at home. We have Shore Based Mariners approved to maintain Radiocommunication equipments on board ships and as well approved classification society.
“The MD is not well informed. He should ask other Transport ministry like NIMASA for better equipped information.
He further urged the Marine Department of NPA to commence training of personnel on radio technique to further equip the agency ‘s operations.
” The NPA must start training, not only Navigation and Marine engine that his agency trains up till now.”
By Roland Ekama
