by Abba Collins

The Rector, Regional Maritime University (RMU), Accra, Mr. Alock Asamoah says the institution is sourcing for 1.4 million dollars (N210 million) from commercial banks to modernise its laboratory.
Asamoah recently told some members of the Maritime Reporters' Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Capacity Building Programme for Media and Public Relations Executives in the university that the Board of the university approved that the loan be taken to modernise the laboratory.

We are yet to acquire engine room simulators and we need modern machines, the Rector said.
He said the major challenge is that technology is moving fast and the institution was trying to match its equipment with modern technology.

Asamoah, however, said the major problem had been scarcity of funds.
He said Ghana, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia and Cameroon were the owners ofthe institution, adding that the institution depended on each country's financial strength and capability.

Asamoah said the institution had been organising courses for seagoing personnel and had started running courses in shipping management.
He also said the university had taken the lead in oil and gas managemnt course.

Asamoah advocated that governments of the sub-region should allow private enterprises in maritime business with government either facilitating and assisting with funds or getting commercial banks to come together to assist ship owners.
The Rector also suggested that nations should come up with a comprehensive national legal frame work on employment to support the exportation of maritime labour.

According to him, Phillipines is having 300,000 seaman exported and rakes in over 4 billion dollars yearly.
With such an income, the nation's economy is boosted, he added.
Asamoah said presently, there are 1,200 regular students in the university and between 300and 400 undergoing short term courses.
He recalled that 16,000 people came for short term courses in 2009.

NISET Wants Stringent Sanction For Unregisted Engineers In Nigeria

by Paul Efiong and Henrietta Azoroi

The Nigeria Society of Engineering Technicians (NISET) has advocated for stringent sanction for all unregistered engineers in the country.
The administrative secretary of NISET Engr. Kenneth Atsomhe made the request in an interview with Newsday correspondents in Abuja recently adding that so many engineers have deliberately refused to register with regulated body in the country.

He pointed out that most of the unregistered engineers in the country contribute to collapse of building warning estate developers and contractors to always be wary of those they engage during building constructions and maintenance.

The Union who blamed collapse building in the country on the activities of quacks and unprofessional noted that most people engage their services because of the low cost estimate.

Responding to questions about numbers of quacks arrested since inception pointed out that COREN is up and doing in its assigned task noting that some people through their advocacy services and public enlightenment have realized the important of patronizing registered engineers no matter the cost implication to the services needed.