FOR the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) to fully realise its mandate of training skilled professionals to man the maritime industry, the management of the college is making a case before the National Assembly for its own training vessels.With presentations already made to the legislative body, Provost of the College, Prof. Samuel Zelibe, who spoke at the institution's matriculation ceremony held in Lagos recently, also noted said the college had also approached the Nigerian Navy to make its vessels available for the training of students.And as part of efforts geared towards full accreditation of the Marine Engineering programme, he explained that one of the landmark achievements of the present administration is in getting the attention and approval of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for the institution's training programmes.While seeking for more grants to increase the width band of the Information and Communication Technology facility in the college, he disclosed that a World Bank grant, currently enjoyed by the college, covers boat building and fish finders for Nautical Sciences, Cold room and utility vehicles for Fisheries and Technology.Currently running courses in Fisheries Technology, Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Maritime Safety and Maritime Environment Technology Management, he confirmed that new programmes are also being planned to boost the academic status of the college, in line with the needs and aspiration of the society.The provost said, 'new programmes are being developed. The Governing Board has approved Naval Architecture and Food and Science Technology. But we need funds and space to mount them. We are working to acquire existing premises that could greatly reduce current congestion. Based on the Federal Government's directive to expand Maritime Environmental Technology Management is already mounted, while we are developing programmes for Agricultural Science and skill development.'On infrastructure, he explained that the current administration was making 'giant strides' to upgrade lecture rooms and provide adequate hostel accommodation to cope with the expected population explosion. Besides, he revealed that a campus is being developed at Ibeju, with funds provided by the federal government, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the World Bank.Zelibe also listed some of the projects to include an 18-concrete and four functional fishponds, one completed hostel, two functional boreholes and a standby generator, while awaiting connection to the national grid. Another hostel, laboratory, farmhouse and lecture hall are in the process of being completed, he disclosed.The provost warned the matriculating students on issues of general conduct such as cultism, indulgence in hard drugs and examination malpractice, stressing that any student who may be politically inclined should engage in constructive student unionism.On accreditation of courses, he noted that most of the institution's academic programmes have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). However, Marine Technology is yet to acquire full accreditation, as efforts are being intensified to ensure that its foundry is well equipped.'Marine Technology foundry is one of the requirements by NBTE for accreditation. We have completed the Marine Engineering studio and we are expecting funds from capital to equip,' he said.In a lecture titled: 'Dearth of Maritime Professionals: Implications for economic development and national security' Professor of Transport Management, Prof. Innocent Ogwude said the industry was yet to realise its full potential so as to contribute to the growth and development of the economy mainly because of the lack of maritime professionals to drive the success of the sector.He said, ' the maritime sector has enormous potentials to contribute to economic growth and development of the nation. Indeed the industry holds the key to the rapid transformation of the economy of the coastal states and the neighbouring communities in regions of the Gulf of Guinea'.According to him, Nigeria loses as much as N45 trillion yearly in the maritime industry due to low participation of indigenous ship owners in the trade adding that the industry may need about 500 million U.S dollars bailout fund to revive shipping in Nigeria.
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