Liberian President Tours Marine Institute as it Undergoes Renovation
August 22, 2009 – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf commended Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) Commissioner Binyah Kesselly and staff of the Bureau recently when she visited the Liberia Marine Training Institute (LMTI) in Marshall, Margibi County. The LMTI is currently undergoing massive renovation as BMA authorities prioritize human resource development and capacity building as the driving force to revive and transform the country’s maritime industry to business-like entity. The BMA hopes that by achieving program excellence, quality services will be the hallmark of its activities in the maritime world.
During the tour of the Institute, President Sirleaf disclosed that she was happy that Commissioner Kesselly had prioritized training and capacity building because, according to her, when the facilities are repaired it will provide young Liberians with the requisite knowledge and skills to obtain jobs on vessels.
Photo: President Johnson Sirleaf (Left), Commissioner Kesselly (Center) and Maryland County Senator Gloria Musu Scott (Right) during the tour. Senator Scott and Lofa County Representative Eugene F. Kparka, who also attended, are Maritime Committee Chairpersons.
Repairing the campus, which includes an administrative building, dormitory, training center and staff quarters, will cost about 1 million United States dollars and is being funded by the Bureau of Maritime Affairs.
In brief remarks, Commissioner Kesselly informed the President that the facilities were destroyed during the civil crisis in 1990 adding “It is one of the objectives of my administration to rehabilitate and upgrade the Institute to its prewar status and provide opportunities for improving the capacity of competent seafarers consistent with national interest and relevant international conventions on standard of training, certificate and watch-keeping (STCW) for seafarers.”
He indicated that hopefully the LMTI renovation will be completed soon and classes will commence in January 2010, beginning with 50 students.
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