Plans by the Bayelsa State Government to establish a Maritime Academy in the State rec
at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Rtd, who represented Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, signed on behalf of the State government while Mr. Romuald Kinda , signed for the Navimor international Maritime Academy.
The agreement signing ceremony, which was one of the highlights of the Poland, Nigeria business forum, was witnessed by the Polish Prime Minister, Mr Donald Tusk and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, with polish business investors who are in Nigeria in search of business investment opportunities also in attendance.
The Bayelsa State Maritime Academy is expected to come into full swing in one and half years’ time and it will be the second of its kind in the South South region of the country, the first being the Maritime Academy, Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the signing ceremony, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Rtd, stated that, the Maritime Academy is being affiliated to the Navimor Maritime Academy in Poland because of its high reputation as a first class international maritime academy coupled with the intention of the state government to establish a maritime academy of international standard. “We are establishing the Maritime Academy that would have international touch and recognition”.
While, expressing satisfaction with the decision of Government to affiliate the proposed Maritime Academy in the State to the Navimor Maritime Academy of Poland, he explained that the training programmes of the Academy have been arranged to ensure that its products are accepted and acknowledged globally in the maritime industry.
In his reaction, the Chairman of Navimor Maritime Academy Poland, Mr Romauld Kinda, disclosed that the partnership with the Bayelsa government would enable his Academy transfer knowledge, and the educational system of Poland to the Bayelsa Maritime Academy, adding that the Navimor Maritime Academy has existed for over 80 years.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Investment, Mr. Cyril Akika who also spoke to Reporters said, the Bayelsa Maritime Academy was envisioned to produce experts in the various fields of the evolving Bayelsa maritime industry.
Describing the state as mainly riverine, he stated that the products of the Maritime Academy would provide the required human resource for the Bayelsa sea port as well as produce divers, ship captains, Cabin attendants, ship builders and other viable personnel needed in the maritime sector of the economy.
