Newly elected Chairman of Marine Engineers says Nigeria can earn $40bn from sector

The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has elected a new leadership to pilot the affairs of the institution for the next year, with Engr. Eferebo Sylvanus emerging as the chairman.

He was elected in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during an extraordinary general meeting with other members of the exco in an election considered free and fair.

Addressing journalists after his election, Engr. Eferebo said his priority is to lead NIMENA to attain international recognition by setting up a journal house where research and development activities will be published, helping to tackle Nigeria’s and sub-regional maritime challenges to contribute to Africa’s development.

The newly elected chairman of NIMENA, a division of The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), further lamented that poor regulatory standards and lack of enforcement mechanisms in the maritime sector have caused the country huge losses in revenue, noting that Nigeria can earn over $40bn from the sector if properly regulated and activities of research and development given due priority.

While stating that NIMENA cannot exist in isolation, he expressed the readiness of the institution to engage with regulatory agencies, policymakers, and other critical stakeholders to raise the status of the body.

He added that there will be a series of enlightenment symposiums, workshops, technical sessions, and interactions with respective government agencies and sister institutions through effective collaboration for the benefit of the sector.

Engr. Sylvanus said his leadership will also give priority to a membership drive, stating that a membership committee has been set up to engage and interface with undergraduate marine engineers, young practitioners, and others outside the body to know their challenges and address them.

While promising enhanced membership benefits, the chairman said he will carry on with the programmes and activities of the past administration, including ensuring that opinions expressed in the last conference of the institution are quickly drafted in a communiqué and sent out to relevant agencies.

The immediate past chairman of NIMENA, Engr. Dr. Daniel Tamunodukobipi, expressed satisfaction with the transparent manner in which the new executives emerged.

While urging the new leadership to continue with the existing initiatives to ensure that the waterways are safe, the immediate past chairman called for a public enlightenment campaign to educate the Nigerian people on the activities of the body.

He also called for the development and maintenance of codes and standards to strengthen the safety framework in the sector, calling for partnership with relevant government agencies.

Other offices elected include National Vice Chairman, Engr. Bhine Obom Amartari; National General Secretary, Engr. Dr. Azubuike John Chuku; National Publicity Secretary, Engr. King Wugha; and ex-officio Engr. Henry Unuigbe.

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