The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has commissioned an ultramodern marine and harbour simulation centre established by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at the NPA Dockyard, Apapa, Lagos.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Minister said the centre would save the Federal Government foreign exchange that would have been used in training personnel abroad.
“It is a testament that we are attaining the status of the desired maritime destination of choice. This facility would attract professionals from within and outside the country,” he said.
Earlier in her address, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, said the commissioning of the centre signals the Federal Government’s preparedness and firm resolve at competing global maritime space.
She informed stakeholders that the marine and harbours simulation centre is expected to engender greater operational efficiency in the activities of the organisation with the expectant patronage from within Africa and indeed globally.
She said the centre “build the capacity of our operations personnel, the pilots, marine officers, tug masters, radio signal operators and prepare them to respond appropriately to the challenges of their various schedules”.
“The authority pays high premium on the capacity of its personnel to be the best at their schedules and various duties in other to respond to greater operational challenges,” she said.
She said the centre is “part of the authority’s strategic positioning and intent at becoming the leading powers in port services in Africa and beyond”.
Also speaking at the event, NPA Board Chairman, Emmanuel Adesoye, said the new facility will “help in advancing the industry forward much as it would result in boosting the nation’s economy”.
