By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
There is anxiety at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron as the Chief Adebayo Sarumi led Ministerial Committee have commenced moves to audit the workforce of the Academy.
The committee recently issued an inquiry document in the form of a questionnaire with over forty questions seeking to know copious details about the over 1300 employees of the school.
Employees of the academy were given a two day ultimatum to turn in their answers to the questions raised.
The committee asked staff members to submit answers provided with supporting documents through a designated electronic mail address.
It sought to know when members of staff were engaged, their academic qualifications, courses they attended, their due retirement dates among others.
Sources close to the academy disclosed that the recent visit by members of the committee to the school’s campus in Oron, Akwa Ibom State expanded its members knowledge about workings there.
A source added that the questionnaire may seek to address the challenge of non academic staff being more in number than academic staff.
He described the questionnaire as a dossier putting academy’s staff under pressure as internet connection within the Oron suburb is not fast and reliable to meet the short deadline.
He said members of the school academic community have always frowned at a situation where scarce funds were expended on courses for non academic staff members while many academic staffers never went on courses to improve on their knowledge.
Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi had inaugurated the committee last month to look into and recommend ways though which the academy could be reformed for efficiency and productivity.
The Committee is chaired by Adebayo Sarumi, a former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with members drawn from the public and private sectors.
Other members of the committee include Engr. Olu Akinsoji, a former Administrator of the academy; Capt. Adamu Biu, former Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, President Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) and the ministry’s Director in charge of Maritime Safety and Security.
Confirming the development, spokesman for the Academy, Mr. Siddi Mkpandiok said ”Our people have been given the forms to fill and I can confirm to you that they are complying with the directive. We are all committed to cooperating with the Ministerial Committee to achieve its objectives for the good of the institution”
