Presidential amnesty programme trains 98 delegates in maritime skills

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed 98 delegates for a refresher course in maritime skills.

PAP is partnering with Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research in Delta state to train the delegates.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the institute, Dennis Otuaro, PAP administrator, said the training is part of its manpower development scheme for the Niger Delta.

He said the training is critical to the economic growth of the region, adding that the deployment is a strategic move to harness the opportunities in the country’s maritime industry.

Otuaro advised the maritime cadets to take their one-month bootcamp and refresher training seriously and demonstrate discipline throughout the duration of the programme.

“I consider this deployment of 98 delegates as strategic because the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very interested in human capacity development for the blue economy. Manpower development is very important to our region and our country,” he said.

“Today, we are starting with 98 delegates as maritime cadets for the blue economy. And you all owe us a duty to be committed to your study, and demonstrate that the Niger Delta people are ready to key into the blue economy policy of the president.

“Your moral conduct should be high. See yourselves as ambassadors of the PAP and the region. We will not condone absconding. Obey the regulations of Joemarine. Our eyes are on you. We need good results from you for your communities, the Niger Delta and the President who is very happy over this deployment.”

The PAP administrator also commended the expertise of the institute to carry out the training to achieve the desired objectives.

On his part, Lambert Daunemighan, PAP’s head of vocational training unit, said the aim of the training is to develop world-class maritime professionals for the industry.