Maritime Workers Need To Minimize Human Error In Emergency Situations At Sea - UNICAL VC, Prof Obi

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi has stated the crucial need for maritime workers to reduce human error in emergencies at sea and to always be prepared for potential contingencies.

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Prof. Florence Obi stated this in her address at a one-day Public lecture organized by the Institute of Oceanography, with the theme, " Promoting Safety in Maritime Industries", held at the Senate Chamber of the University.

Prof Obi said there is a need to have deliberate and results-driven measures in curtailing contingencies at the sea for effective economic growth noting that working in the rivers, estuaries and the ocean is a risky business, that a little mistake can lead to loss of life and properties.

She underlined that through training, practices and adhering to the various basic principles that guide the maritime industry, a lot can be achieved to minimize error while giving room for economic boost.

The University Administrator who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-chancellor, Administration, Prof. Eno Nta further said that with the emerging concept of the Blue Economy, maritime industries are going to expand considerably with multiple activities in the marine space.

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 "Our Institute of Oceanography is well positioned to provide training in maritime safety procedures, among others.

"And we will continue as a University to support the Institute and provide the resources to enable it to fulfil its mandate.

Prof. Florence Obi who welcomed stakeholders in the Maritime industry and participants to the University of Calabar, noted that the topic for the Public Lecture "Promoting Safety in Maritime Industries", was particularly relevant to the University of Calabar and Calabar, being a maritime and Port city with retinue of Maritime industries and high rate of shipping activities

The University helmsman said, "As part of the University's belief, that an institution must be relevant to its environment and given the location of Unical in the coastal and riverine zone, the University in 1982 established the Institute of Oceanography (IOC) to conduct research in and carry out training programmes, on the coastal and marine areas."

She said this was followed up with the establishment of the Institute of Environmental Protection Management, Environmental Education, and the creation of the Faculty of Oceanography (FOC) in 2015 to ensure the provision of academic programmes in the Marine Sciences,

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Prof Obi said, "As a University, we are very sensitive to issues of safety, whether of human, property or environment." That's why recently following events of fire outbreaks on Campus, we procured a new fire-fighting truck to check and minimize destruction from fire outbreaks". She said,

The Vice Chancellor thanked the Director and Staff of the institution of Oceanography for coming up with a timely and beneficial lecture for the University and the general public.

 In a welcome address, the Director of the Institute of Oceanography (IOC), Prof. Udeme I. Enin, thanked the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Florence Obi for providing a quality atmosphere to stimulate academic discourse within the University.

Prof Enin said as a research institute, it has the mandate to conduct research in all areas of marine sciences and to carry out training programmes to produce middle-level and high-level manpower with the requisite skills to manage the maritime sectors hence, the public lecture.

The IOC Director said the public lecture and its theme is timely adding that it is one of the areas, the Institute has been active in the training of Safety and Survival at Sea.

He stated that carrying out activities in the marine environment is a risky business explaining that Marine resources, whether living or nonliving, are fugitive resources.

According to him, "To reduce losses in the maritime industry, it requires continuous training and retraining. This is the reason why we dedicated this year's Institute of Oceanography Public Lecture to the theme: "Promoting Safety in Maritime Industries".

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The event featured lectures from the Port Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Olumati Festus, Chief Executive Officer of Novelty Zenith Swimming Safety, Port Harcourt, Dr Zakari Idris and Mr Peres Okponwei of Novelty Zenith Safety Ltd, Port Harcourt.

The representatives of the Eastern Naval Command, the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Cross River State Fire Service were also in attendance.