Federal Government - The minister of transport, Sen. Idris Umar has said over 2,500 cadets have been sponsored by the federal government for training in nautical and maritime related courses to build capacity in Nigerian seafaring.
The minister who made the disclosure in a statement Tuesday, said there have been achievements in the transport and maritime sector during the recent years.
He said: "Under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), government has sponsored over 2,500 Nigerian cadets to degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and others in reputable institutions in Philippines, Egypt and the United Kingdom to address the dearth of Nigeria seafarers."
On increased waterway activities, he stated that the dredging of the River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri, Delta State, has facilitated the movement of 6,685,00 passengers and 1.6 million tons as at September this year.
Sen. Umar said the new standard gauge rail line being constructed with a distance 8,139km including the Coastal rail Line will cover 10 states.
"It will also cover Abuja to Lagos High Speed Rail Line within the next five to seven years. This is more than double the distance of the existing 3,505km narrow gauge rail lines constructed from 1898 to 1964," he said.
On security and safety in the maritime sector, government said its efforts so far have drawn commendations from the United States Coast Guard especially on the implementation of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPFS) Code.
Source: DailyTrust