Institution of marine engineers elects Eferebo Sylvanus as new chairman

The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has elected Eferebo Sylvanus as its new chairman.

Sylvanus and other executives were elected in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, during the extraordinary general meeting of NIMENA.

The new chairman and his team would pilot the affairs of the institution, which is an affiliate of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), for one year.

Speaking after the election, Sylvanus said his priority is to lead NIMENA to attain international recognition, adding that he would set up a journal house where research and development activities will be published.

He said Nigeria should be earning over $40 billion from the maritime sector, noting that poor regulatory standards and lack of enforcement measures are holding the country back.

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 government agencies and sister institutions through effective collaboration for the benefit of the sector.

Sylvanus said his leadership will also give priority to a membership drive, stating that a 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 would 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 communique and sent out to relevant agencies.