Charkin Maritime Academy shops for experts, cadets

Poised to ensure that its standards are in line with the guidelines and conventions of global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Charkin Maritime Academy (CMA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is shopping for professionals in the maritime industry.

Although many professionals are required, the academy is presently shopping for marine engineers, lecturers, librarian, Cadets Regimental Unit (RUC) Commander, laboratory technologist and registrar.

Similarly, the academy has extended the date for cadets to get placements in the school regarded as a gateway into the marine world.The move is also aimed at meeting the requirements of local regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Acting Provost of the CMA, Dr. Egben Okore, who dropped the hint in a chat with journalists, said the plan to recruit more professionals into the CMA is informed by the need to beef up the institution’s present workforce as well as prepare ahead for some of its courses and programmes.

Okore said interested applicants and students are free to take advantage of the openings in the school for a future career in maritime, oil and gas industries and beyond.

Recall that as part of its expansion programmes, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had in early February 2017 formally unveiled Nigeria’s first ever land ship, MV Rivers Pride, built by the CMA. The land ship houses some of the equipment and facilities required by the CMA.

These comprise full mission navigational bridge simulator; ECDIS Simulation Room; GMDSS (Navigation) Simulation Room which conforms to the 2010 Manila Amendments by the IMO; and the basic dynamic positioning class.

Other components of the land ship are advance dynamic positioning and examination class; nautical institute examination room; and the drilling system crane simulator.

Wike also used the occasion to announce an approval of a certificate of occupancy for the land in which the land ship is situated at Ozuoba, along the East-West Road, Port Harcourt.

The governor commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles K. Wami for the strides he has made since the establishment of the facility.

According to him, the Rivers State Government would do everything possible to assist the school to grow to an enviable height to the benefits of Rivers State indigenes in particular and Nigerians in general.