Exec Sec charges Charkins Maritime on Seafarers’ training

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote has challenged the management of Charkins Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre to develop a strategy that will provide maritime cadets with sea time experience required to qualify them as professional sailors. Such a strategy would foster a partnership arrangement with the Board to address the deficit of trained cadets in the maritime and oil and gas industries.

He gave the charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday when he led top management of the Board and representatives of international and indigenous operating companies on a facility visit to the company. He commended the firm’s capacity building strides, adding that the Board has adopted a training model geared to provide beneficiaries with skills they need to gain meaningful employment or become self-employed.

According to the Executive Secretary, the facility is a clear proof that Nigerian Content is working because the centre is operating with international standards in the heart of Port Harcourt. “It is impressive that all their accreditations are international, and all the examinations are international. Trainees in this facility can work anywhere in the world.”

Wabote further stated that the vision of Charkins of becoming a Centre of Excellence for Maritime Training is being realised, noting that the Board is working with the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) to categorize Training Centres and their courses.

On the commissioning of the NCDMB Hall, the Executive Secretary commended the company for the gesture which is the first in the industry. He promised that the Board will use the conference hall to host its events in Port Harcourt.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Charkins Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles Kimikanwo Wami extolled the Board for its effective implementation of the Nigerian Content Act. He acknowledged that the success recorded in the last seven years had enabled Charkins Maritime Centre to collaborate with foreign partners for the training of instructors and award of international accreditations such that its products and certificates are accorded international acceptance.

He also noted that the company was recently recognised as the Best Maritime Education and Training Institute by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Some of the facilities inspected at the centre were the Drilling Simulator Class for offshore and onshore drilling operations, Land Ship Simulator, MV Rivers Pride commissioned on February 9, 2017 by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; Dynamic Positioning Training Class and Simulator Laboratory; High Voltage Simulator Room for Engineers and Electricians; Helicopter Evacuation Simulator Pool and Offshore Crane Training Simulator. Others were the cadet hostel, auditorium, e-Library under construction and delegates quarters for senior management trainees.

The highpoint of the visit was the commissioning of the Conference Hall at the centre dedicated to the NCDMB.